Do you know anyone currently suffering from polio?
My guess is you probably don’t. But polio has existed throughout recorded human history, and the worst outbreak in the United States killed more than 3,000 people in 1952. It left countless others with lifelong health consequences.
Photo credit: South Dakota Department of Health
Finally, after years of research, Dr. Jonas Salk was able to develop the first effective polio vaccine. By 1961, only 161 cases in the U.S. remained. Salk was committed to ensuring that the vaccine was available to all, famously saying, “There is no patent. Could you patent the sun?”
Life-saving vaccines have helped to all but eradicate some of the most dangerous diseases that affect humans. Now this progress, and the decades-long progress made against diseases like polio, measles and mumps is in serious peril due to recent actions from the federal government.
Unfortunately, alongside the successful track record of vaccines, the anti-vaccine industry has sprouted up and flourished in recent years as a result of misinformation shared widely online. The unscientific views of anti-vaccine advocates gained an even stronger foothold due to the significant social disruption of the pandemic and the corrosive effect of social media. What was once an overwhelming bipartisan and nonpartisan societal agreement that vaccines are a good thing has sadly become polarized.
Alongside the successful track record of vaccines, the anti-vaccine industry has sprouted up and flourished in recent years as a result of misinformation shared widely online.
And the groups that push these beliefs are profiting from their lies. In 2023, the Informed Consent Action Network, an anti-vaccine group run by Del Bigtree, who is an ally of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., reported $23 million in revenue. Kennedy’s own organization, Children’s Health Defense, has also raked in millions through the years. They push lies blaming vaccines for autism and various other maladies, use it to sell products and propaganda, and get rich off vulnerable people getting sick.
This is why it is so distressing to witness Kennedy’s actions to gut the federal CDC and to stack vaccine advisory boards with anti-science skeptics, which will make it more difficult to effectively investigate rare but real cases of vaccine injury, and stifle necessary research and development. Right now, the federal CDC is attempting to restrict access to the COVID-19 vaccine for folks 65 and older and for younger people who have preexisting medical conditions, in contradiction to the fact-based guidance of experienced medical professionals.
So, what are we doing about it in Maine? Thankfully, we have strong vaccine protections in place. Certain vaccines are mandatory for children to attend Maine schools, with exemptions only allowed for medical reasons. This helps preserve the herd immunity necessary to prevent the spread of life-threatening diseases. The weakening of standards in other parts of the country like Florida is still alarming. But that gives us more reasons to do everything we can to protect ourselves and our communities.
Rep. Marc Malon says Maine is leading the way in ensuring public access for vaccinations
For the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine, the Mills Administration has issued a standing order to ensure that every Mainer who wants a vaccine can get one. The standing order essentially serves as a prescription for all Maine people, and it will allow them to get the shot at local pharmacies, clinics and health care offices.
It also requires state-regulated health insurance carriers, including those with MaineCare, to provide full coverage of the cost of the vaccine. The shot is recommended for all children from ages six months to 23 months, all individuals ages 18 and older, and children two to 18 years old based on risk factors – check with your children’s medical provider. If you want a vaccine, you should be able to receive your COVID-19 booster at your local pharmacy. I encourage folks to do so. I did it this week.
Vaccine opponents like to paint the decision to vaccinate as purely a personal choice. The problem is that these personal decisions can impact other families and broader communities. The miracle of vaccination is a miracle of community, and when communities need action, our history shows us that we take it because we care about not only our families, but those around us.
So, let’s band together once again, roll up our sleeves, literally, and not take for granted the hard work, sacrifices and medical advancements that have actually made America healthier for decades.
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Rep. Marc Malon is serving his second term in the Maine House, representing a portion of Biddeford. He serves as a member of the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee and the Housing and Economic Development Committee. He can be reached via email at marc.malon@legislature.maine.gov.
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In our not-too-distant future, the coast of Maine will look nothing like it does today — fewer beaches, many houses and businesses displaced, roads and utilities either abandoned or relocated further inland.
That’s a certainty, according to Dr. Cameron Wake, a University of New England professor who served as the keynote speaker during Tuesday’s SOS Save Our Shores conference, which was held at the Ferry Beach Conference and Retreat Center.
The only variables, Wake said, are how much and how fast the Atlantic Ocean rises and how quickly we realize that our treasured coastal communities and waterfronts require immediate action.
The annual SOS Saco Bay conference, now in its fourth year, has historically focused on strategies to mitigate the impact of sea rise on beaches and nearby properties in Biddeford, Saco, Old Orchard Beach and Scarborough.
SOS Saco Bay was formed six years ago by citizens concerned with the beach erosion that has taken homes and roads in Camp Ellis — still an unrealized issue. The conference has grown steadily to become a major information source and a starting point for organizing coastal residents and owners.
Roughly, 175 people attended this year’s conference.
Over the last two years — since the devastating January 2024 storms — citizen groups have formed in Hills Beach, Biddeford Pool and around the health of the Pool itself.
The Biddeford Coastal Preservation Coalition (BCPC) continues to build chapters along the coast. The city of Biddeford’s Sustainability Committee is focusing more on coastal issues, as well.
“The University of New England has emerged as a major source of support for coastal communities”
Sea rise is generally associated with global warming, but Wake also pointed to glacier melting as the wild card. It is now clear that glaciers are melting at an accelerated rate, faster even than temperatures. Wake displayed graphics of Greenland and some of the ice shelves in Antarctica and explained how feedback loops of warming air and water lead to ever-increasing calving of icebergs that float away and melt.
The University of New England has emerged as a major source of support for coastal communities, finding ample research opportunities for faculty and students.
Research projects include a recently published report on beach and dune loss and an on-going study of changes to the tidal pool at Biddeford Pool. This year, dozens of UNE students attended the conference and displayed their research on posters. The university has a new master’s degree track for “climate change leadership.”
To be sure, many of the conference workshops were clearly focused on the short term — new ways and materials to rebuild dunes and arrest beach erosion, information on how other coastal communities have managed their shorelines; and successes in protecting shore bird migration at Maine’s beaches. New this year were discussions about retreat, the most realistic and most difficult of the long-term responses to sea rise.
No answers were offered.
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Tom McPheeters is a life-long lover of Maine and a year-round resident of nearly three years. After a journalism career or 25 years at three newspapers in Ohio and New York State, Tom spent the last 30 years as a community organizer and advocate in Albany, NY. He lives in Biddeford Pool.
The Biddeford Gazette welcomes commentary and feedback from our readers. To learn more, please CONTACT US
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The Biddeford Saco Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its annual Ten Talks & Silent Auction on Wednesday, October 15. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. at River Winds Farm and Estate in Saco.
Organizers say that “this much-anticipated community event blends thought-provoking talks with an engaging silent auction,” all in a lively, social atmosphere.
The event features 10 local speakers, each sharing a five-minute talk on a topic of their choice. The result is a fast-moving, inspiring program that highlights the voices and perspectives of our community.
Newly hired Biddeford City Manager Truc Dever will be one of the 10 speakers during this year’s event. (Jim Krause photo)
The wide range of speakers this year includes Biddeford’s new city administrator Truc Dever; Ellis Baum from Tiger Investment Services; Jessica Walter from Maine Trust for Local News; Rhona Deah from Rhona’s Beauty Shop and many more.
Before and after the presentations, guests will enjoy networking, food, drinks and the chance to bid on unique items in the silent auction. Donations range in value, from $25 to over $1,000, including gift certificates, experiences, services, and specialty products from local businesses.
“We’re excited to once again bring together local voices, businesses, and community members for an evening of ideas and generosity,” said Chamber Director Matt Lewis. “Ten Talks has become one of our signature events, showcasing the talent, creativity, and spirit that make our region thrive.”
The event is free and open to the public.
Funds raised through the silent auction support the Chamber’s work to strengthen and connect the Biddeford and Saco business community.
For more information, please contact the Biddeford+Saco Chamber of Commerce at 207-282-1567
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Marie Metcalf, 12, of Biddeford, has been named the STAR Student of September at Maine Connections Academy, a tuition-free online public school serving students in grades 7-12 statewide.
Marie began her first year at Maine Connections Academy as a 7th grader this year, and she couldn’t be happier as she balances online schooling and her ongoing passion for competing in gymnastics.
For the last four years, Marie has grown increasingly passionate about gymnastics.
What started as an athletic and creative outlet has turned into nine to 11 hours a week of dedicated training and practice. After her first year, she was invited to be on the team at Dudziak’s Gymnastics.
This year, Marie reached the gold level and is allowed to use her creativity and build her own floor routine. Marie and her family are excited to see heads turn at her first gold performance in November.
(Marie Metcalf, Contributed photo)
In her previous brick-and-mortar school setting, Marie was finding it difficult to dedicate enough time and attention to her educational needs while still allowing time to pursue her passion for gymnastics.
So, her family turned to Maine Connections Academy for the next step in her education. After only the first three weeks of classes, Marie’s mother, Lisa, saw the difference: “She is more engaged with her teachers, more engaged in the work, and is starting better study habits already.”
“We hope to hear more inspiring stories as she builds her career as a competitive gymnast locally, regionally, and potentially nationally one day,” said her instructors.
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About Maine Connections Academy:
Maine Connections Academy opened in 2014, and is a unique, tuition-free, online public school for students in grades 7-12 with 500 students enrolled. Authorized by the Maine Charter School Commission, Maine Connections Academy offers a high-quality educational experience that keeps students motivated and engaged in a safe, virtual learning environment. In addition to academics, teachers focus on building fundamental life skills, working closely with families to help students learn how they learn best. Here, students gain the skills and confidence they need to direct their own educational journey, learning to thrive in the real world by first learning how to be resourceful and resilient. For more information, call 1-833-591-0251 or visit www.MaineConnectionsAcademy.com.
I see it every day. Someone behind the wheel looking at their cellphone and not the road.
Do you want to know how I spot them? They are unable to stay in their lane, veering into mine. This makes my blood pressure soar…they callously have a complete disregard for my wellbeing because sending or reading a text message was more important than my life.
Texting while driving is not just risky – it’s deadly.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) claims 3,275 people died from distracted driving in 2023.
That could be your spouse, daughter or son. It could be your sister, brother, mother, father, a best friend…your dog or cat even! Need I go on?
According to the NHTSA, when a car is driving at 55 miles per hour, a five-second glance at your phone means you have traveled the length of a football field with your eyes off the road. Think about that for a minute…a FOOTBALL field!
Texting demands all three things a driver needs most when behind the wheel: your eyes, hands and mind.
Texting is a deadly choice that far too many people make. Not only are they taking a gamble with their own life, but also the lives of their passengers, other drivers and pedestrians.
We need to see a cultural transformation shift. Parents can start with leading by example.
All too many times, I see an adult furiously texting away with children in the back seat. By doing this, you are teaching your children that texting while driving is okay.
The saying “do as I say, not as I do” doesn’t apply sadly. Parents must model phone-free driving for their kids. Put the phone down!
No text or phone call is worth increasing that statistic from 2023.
If it is that important, simply pull over. 90 percent of drivers are aware it is unsafe, yet over half admit they still do it.
Everyone knows better, but they haven’t decided to do better. How many more deaths must occur before this is taken more seriously?
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Gail Toussaint is a resident of Biddeford. The views and opinions expressed here are her own and not necessarily those of the Biddeford Gazette.
The Gazette strongly encourages reader feedback, including letters to the editor, contributed feature stories or op-ed pieces that offer perspectives different from the opinion pieces we publish. For more information, please send an email to biddefordgazette@gmail.com
Early last spring, while still cleaning up the wreckage of devastating winter storms, southern Maine towns began drafting new rules governing how they’d rebuild or develop on stretches of land that were widely inundated months before.
The process coincided with the adoption of new federal flood maps and is required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program.
After years of back-and-forth between FEMA and local officials, the agency finalized its first flood map updates for Cumberland and York counties in decades.
The maps’ finalization last summer meant local officials had to update their floodplain ordinances to FEMA standards or risk their residents losing out on federal flood insurance — often a requirement for homeowners with government-backed mortgages who live in FEMA flood zones.
While municipalities could simply adopt boilerplate language that the Maine Floodplain Management Program provides towns based on their local flood threat (i.e. coastal or riverine), towns also had the opportunity to fine-tune or strengthen their floodplain rules further.
One way to do that is by requiring heightened standards if new developments or significant renovations occur inside regulated flood zones.
Municipalities, for example, could require that the lowest floor of a new development be built higher than the one foot above flood level that FEMA recommends, giving future homes more protection from sea level rise, which FEMA flood maps don’t account for.
That’s the path that Scarborough’s town council took last year. Their updated floodplain ordinances require anyone building a new development or making repairs worth more than 50 percent of a building’s value to raise the lowest floor two feet above flood level.
Brian Longstaff, Scarborough’s zoning administrator, said that he was a little hesitant about the proposal at first when considering the challenges it could pose to homeowners who were already in compliance with the FEMA minimum.
“It was a little bit of a big bite, I thought, but in the end, it makes sense,” Longstaff told The Maine Monitor, adding that the town is conducting a vulnerability assessment and its projections for future sea level rise show local flood risks growing down the line.
“I’m looking at the vulnerability assessment, the picture of risk maps… and there are some areas of Scarborough [where] the projections are pretty scary,” Longstaff said.
Down the coast in Wells, town officials took a different approach. They kept the one-foot minimum elevation requirement in flood zones but expanded the criteria that triggers it.
Whereas Scarborough requires repairs or remodels that are worth more than 50 percent of a building’s value and completed within one year to be elevated to its two-foot minimum, Wells tracks the cumulative value of such projects — adding up project costs over a multi-year period to determine when an elevation change is required.
That’s an effective way to close a common loophole used to get around similar ordinances according to Sue Baker, coordinator of the Maine Floodplain Management Program. (The Wells code enforcement director and town planner could not be reached for comment by publication.)
“There are some people that will just piecemeal their projects so that they stagger them out over a number of years, so that they don’t ever trigger the substantial improvement rule,” Baker said. “What I think is bad about that is now you’re putting thousands and thousands of dollars into a building, but you haven’t changed the risk.”
Scarborough considered similar language during the town’s ordinance development, but ultimately town officials didn’t adopt it, according to Longstaff. As a certified floodplain manager, he said he carefully evaluates projects in flood
zones and can typically reach an understanding with the applicant about flood risks and how to mitigate them, though calculating cumulative improvements is “’a great idea to do over a reasonable period.”
The deadly floods that devastated Central Texas last month provide a stark example of what happens when flood zone development regulations are absent or unenforced. Camp Mystic, the summer camp where 27 campers and counselors died, was built in a high-risk flood zone.
In rural Texas, there are few regulatory powers afforded to county governments over flood zones and many communities exist outside of the jurisdiction of municipal ordinances, according to the Texas Tribune. In Maine, meanwhile, unorganized communities are overseen by the state Land Use Planning Commission, and county hazard mitigation initiatives are widespread.
Outside of southern Maine, Baker said the state is developing updated flood maps for multiple watersheds and pursuing new initiatives through the recently formed State Resilience Office and Office of Community Affairs.
But with the vulnerabilities exposed in last year’s storms and climate change’s intensification of sea level rise and heavy precipitation events, it only makes sense to elevate and move back from flood-ravaged areas whenever possible, according to Baker.
“I heard a good quote once upon a time,” Baker said. “‘There’s going to be retreat. The question is whether… it’s going to be managed or unmanaged.’”
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About The Reporter: Emmett Gartner is an environmental reporter for The Maine Monitor. Having grown up on the Chesapeake Bay, Emmett has long been interested in stories of adaptation and accountability.
He joined the Maine Monitor newsroom in 2023 as a Roy W. Howard fellow and now explores how environmental policy aligns with Mainers’ lived experiences and where climate change complicates the status quo.
Previously, he reported for a daily newspaper in Maryland and spent separate summer stints working as a trail maintenance worker in Nevada, a wildland firefighter in Oregon and an environmental educator on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
Editor’s note: This story was originally published by The Maine Monitor, a nonprofit and nonpartisan news organization. To get regular coverage from The Monitor, sign up for a free Monitor newsletter here.
In reference to the old gas station sign located at the Five Points intersection:
Firstly, let me say that I love the idea as well as the submitted artwork. I can honestly say that as silly as it is, yes that sign is a landmark to the city as much as the mills are, in my opinion.
I have just one thought/concern. I know that it is being regarded as a project welcoming people to the city, but where that sign is, aren’t they theoretically already pretty far into the city?
Also, in reality, I am thinking that traffic driving by will be moving too fast to really appreciate the details in the new design. Add to that all of the existing wires and other infrastructure, I feel that maybe the sign will be shorted its due deserve.
Lastly, and this is kind of stupid but valid in this day and age. Suppose a truck tries to make that turn and screws the pooch, or an accident pushes a car into the pole. Who is footing the bill for the repairs? Would it be the city of the property owner?
I know that is hopefully a far-out idea, but you KNOW that sooner or later it will happen. And when it does, you know the lawyers and insurance companies will be fighting that one for years.
But as they say, don’t bring up a problem unless you can offer a solution, so here is my thought:
Take the whole sign, shorten the pole and move it to the corner down by Main Street and Mechanics Park (picture attached).
Rotate the sign so that the “blocks” are off to the left side, sort of facing traffic in both directions.
Following the design submitted by the artist, use one side coming into Biddeford to show 04005, and the side leaving Biddeford to show 04072. (When the sign is refurbished, place a blank in the center of the blocks so that the opposite sides don’t show through on each other.)
Instead of standard white lighting inside, line the internals with basic color changing LEDs so that during holidays and events, the sign can display in colors. (Example: red/green for Christmas, orange/purple for Halloween, red/white/blue for patriotic holidays, etc.
If you want to get really fancy, landscape a circular sitting area around the base with some benches and a plaque of some sort talking about the sign.
Lastly, thinking for the future, be sure to run extra electricity inside the pole and think about possibly adding (in the future) a permanent informational display board below the “blocks” more in the driver’s eyeline since so often we end up just placing a temporary sign on that patch of land anyway for parades, festivals, parking bans, etc.
Possibly Saco would throw some money at the project since it will display their zip as well and the informational sign in the future would be used to benefit both cities.
Oh, and my thoughts on painting the pole: some shade of standard Hunter Green or something to fit in with the park and local landscaping there.
I would also do what I can to aid in the project. I am sure the money set aside would fall short but I know we can find it somewhere.
The maintenance time saved over the years would be substantial I bet because you could use our own trucks and lifts to access the sign if it were shortened, as compared to needing a crane to access the top of the sign where it currently is.
I really feel that this is a great alternative to the current placement of the sign to pair with the sign’s new use: a great welcoming to the city — both cities, really.
Can you think of a better way to say “Welcome to our Main Street District”?
NOTE:James Krause is a resident of Biddeford. If you would like to submit a column or letter to the editor for publication in the Biddeford Gazette, please emailbiddefordgazette@gmail.com
According to a recent press release, he Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center (BCHC) is now seeking nominations for the 2025 Biddeford Hall of Fame.
Now in its eighth year, the annual BCHC program recognizes and celebrates citizens of Biddeford or others who have contributed to the history, heritage, and culture of the city or the world at large in a significant way.
Honorees will be inducted at a ceremony tentatively set for Saturday, October 4, at Biddeford Little Theater at Biddeford High School.
“It’s great to be able to share some of the stories, the people and events that make Biddeford what it is today. It’s important to remember where we came from and how far we can go,” said Diane Cyr, BCHC board president. “BCHC is proud to host this event again this year.”
Nominations should be sent in on the official nomination forms available on the BCHC website. Official nomination forms are also available at the McArthur Library.
Deadline for submissions is August 1st, 2025.
Along with this year’s nominations, most nominations that were submitted but not selected in past years, will also be considered. Hall of Fame nominations and future inductees are selected by a vote of the Hall of Fame (HOF) Selection Committee.
The committee, composed of members of BCHC, Biddeford Historical Society, and members of the public, will take into consideration the significance of a nominee’s ethnic background as well as their other contributions. People may nominate themselves.
According to Susan Deschambault, chair of the (HOF) Committee, “The history of Biddeford is rich with stories of people who made contributions to our community.
“We must preserve our past and strive to inspire our future.”
–Susan Deschambault
“The current growth is evidence of the spirit we share with our past. The BCHC Hall of Fame recognizes and honors the benefactors, workers, religious, artists, athletes, musicians, educators, volunteers, philanthropists and business leaders in the community,” she said, “We must preserve our past and strive to inspire our future.”
The inductees are featured prominently in a display at the Biddeford City Hall, which is open to the public for viewing during business hours. They are also featured on banners hung from the streetlights on Main Street in Biddeford for a period of time.
Immediately following the induction ceremony, Hall of Fame members, and other participants will be treated to a special reception at the school. Representatives of BCHC will be present for those interested in learning more about the organization and its other programs serving the community and will answer any questions about getting involved.
To nominate someone for the Biddeford Hall of Fame, please submit no more than two pages of text along with the nomination form and supporting information to: BCHC PO Box 896, Biddeford, ME 04005-0896 or email documents to bchc04005@gmail.com.
On Saturday, July 12, New Life Church hosted its 8th annual “For Biddeford” event, a citywide serve day where close to 150 volunteers spread out across Biddeford to complete 10 service projects to bless the community.
For Biddeford is built on a simple but compelling idea: our city should be better because of the Christians worshiping in it. We believe the church should be known for who we are for, not simply what we are against.
We are “for” our city and the families who call it home.
For Biddeford is just one of the many ways we hope to reflect the love of Jesus in practical, tangible ways right here in our city.
This year’s projects included trail maintenance at Clifford and Rotary parks, painting at the J. Richard Martin Community Center and Memorial Park, deep cleaning the Biddeford Food Pantry, free hot dogs to the public, and lunch for first responders (police and fire).
What made this year’s ForBiddeford especially exciting was a sneak peek into The Reach, the church’s upcoming community center set to launch at the end of this summer.
Located at 118 Alfred Street, The Reach will serve as a hub of connection and support for individuals and families in the surrounding neighborhoods.
I view this past week in Augusta as transitional. Committees, including my own, finished their work on bills and the bulk of the activity began moving from the committee room to the floors of each chamber.
The week began on a stressful note personally. I went to the Memorial Day ceremony at Waterhouse Field, but had to leave before it began due to a family health matter (not to worry – everyone is okay now). This same issue kept me from being able to attend session on Tuesday, making it the first session day I have missed this term.
My absence Tuesday from roll call votes is excused due to the compelling personal reasons for my absence. Still, I hate missing any vote. Fortunately, it does not appear that my vote alone would have swung the outcome on any measures on Tuesday.
State Rep. Marc Malon (D-Biddeford)
Among the measures I would have supported on Tuesday (and look forward to supporting on enactment) are two bills for active transportation and trails along defunct rail corridors.
As the Maine Sunday Telegram noted in their lead editorial today, these measures are modeled off the economic success of the Eastern Trail which runs through our community. While I am supportive of expanding rail transit where it is viable, I have not seen compelling evidence that these corridors would be viable anytime soon, and this is an excellent use for them. I am proud to support the Transportation Committee’s bipartisan work on this issue.
Though I missed session on Tuesday, things stabilized enough for me to be able to remotely attend and participate in the last full meeting of the Housing and Economic Development Committee later that day. We worked and voted on three bills dealing with very important issues.
After long, occasionally challenging conversations regarding two bills to amend the Growth Management Act, I joined a majority of the committee in supporting a compromise version of LD 1940, which makes badly needed updates to the Act to enable smarter growth principles and development where it makes sense. The compromise incorporates feedback from municipalities and their planners and gives them options rather than mandating one pathway from the state.
There was also merit to LD 1751, which proposed more modest changes and would still be a step forward, but while I wanted to support both I believe LD 1940 is the better policy and that is what I decided to throw my full support behind. These measures took us deep into the weeds of policymaking over development and how Maine can align its goals on housing, economic development, and our environment. While it was charged at times, I believe we landed in a very good place.
“Overall, the Housing and Economic Development Committee was very productive this session, and it benefited from the thoughtfulness of all of its members (from both parties).”
— Marc Malon
I also was proud to cast my vote in favor of LD 1829, sponsored by Speaker Ryan Fecteau, which makes needed updates to zoning requirements and makes the laws clearer for folks interested in creating more housing.
The Speaker worked hard with Rep. Amanda Collamore (R-Pittsfield) on a compromise which makes sense for all Maine communities while respecting their differences. The vote was unanimous, which is significant given the history of bills dealing with zoning. Building more housing remains imperative, and this bill will help.
Overall, the Housing and Economic Development Committee was very productive this session, and it benefited from the thoughtfulness of all of its members (from both parties). Perhaps it was due to the subject matter and the fact that we kept the culture wars out of the committee room, but even members whom I have sharp disagreements with on other subjects engaged in good faith discussions over the bills we worked. Not everything was unanimous of course, but we never disagreed on the underlying facts behind the policies we debated. When facts matter, good process is possible we can accomplish a great deal.
I was able to return to Augusta on Wednesday and Thursday, which were spent in the House Chamber. We voted on a number of items. These included:
– Very close votes on a measure, LD 301, to clarify the Public Utilities Commission’s authority to engage in performance-based ratemaking. Like many bills from the Energy Utilities and Technology Committee (EUT) this bill is highly technical and dense. It takes a lot of studying to understand! But these bills are very important as they deal with the vital and sensitive issues of how to best regulate utilities, protect consumers, and meet state economic development and climate goals. I believed LD 301 made sense and voted in favor.
* We voted 108-33 (making it bipartisan) to support funding for the University of Maine System, whose importance needs no explanation.
* We opposed a wholly unnecessary measure out of my other committee, Veterans and Legal Affairs (VLA), which proposed a constitutional amendment stating that only citizens can vote in our elections. We opposed this for a very good reason: it is already the case that only citizens can vote in our elections. Statute makes it crystal clear that only citizens can vote in all Maine elections, including municipal (and town ordinances cannot change that as state law supersedes them). This bill was brought forward to perpetuate a myth and spread disinformation. It failed, as it should have.
* Bills from the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee (IFW) don’t normally garner a ton of attention, but three did on Thursday. On a mostly party-line vote, we approved a budget initiative from the Department to support their programs, which bolster sportsmen and our outdoor economy. This measure was strongly backed by the Sportsmen’s Alliance of Maine (SAM).
It remains unclear why there was opposition, but the few arguments I heard against it were not compelling to me.
A bipartisan majority of us rejected a bill which would allow youth hunters to hunt on Sundays. For those unaware, Sunday hunting has long been a touchy issue. It is not currently allowed, and that is not simply due to old-fashioned “blue laws.” To make a long story short, most hunting in Maine is conducted on privately-owned land as allowed by the landowner. Multiple surveys and studies have shown that both landowners and hunters alike enjoy (reasonably, in my view) having one day each week where there is a reprieve and precautions are not needed for folks enjoying the land for non-hunting purposes. If Sunday hunting were to be allowed, more landowners would post their land and prevent hunting. This would be a blow to our hunting traditions. This is why I opposed the measure.
I also voted against a measure to establish a Constitutional Right to hunt and fish in Maine. For one, I do not think it is at all necessary. Mainers enjoy broad hunting and fishing rights (as they should!) and they are not at risk. This measure is also broad and vague, which creates confusion that will surely lead to litigation. We don’t need that. It also could open the door to Sunday hunting.
I was in the minority voting in opposition, but it is unclear whether or not this measure will move forward because a constitutional amendment needs to receive a two-thirds vote on enactment and it did not receive that on Thursday (though it was close). I support our hunting and fishing traditions, and am likely to oppose any restrictions on what is currently allowed. But this measure went too far and was poorly drafted.
I also would like to note that one of my bills, LD 641 which bolsters the Housing Problem Solving Program at MaineHousing in support of homelessness diversion efforts, was unanimously enacted by the House and now goes to the Special Appropriations Table, where all bills with fiscal notes go. I am working on ways to secure the funding for this vital program which prevents people from becoming unhoused in the first place.
These next few weeks will be busy as we move through the remainder of our work. We will have some late nights and will tackle some very important and sometimes-controversial issues. I’ll keep you posted as we go.
In the meantime, let’s remember to take good care of each other, respect our neighbors, and support our community.
State Rep. Marc Malon is currently serving his second term representing a portion of Biddeford in the Maine House of Representatives. He is also the party affairs director for the Maine Democratic Party. He may be contacted at: Marc.Malon@legislature.maine.gov
The views and opinions presented here are solely those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Biddeford Gazette or its publisher.
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Biddeford Middle School’s (BMS) fifth and sixth-grade Math Meet teams earned first place at all four meets this season, finishing undefeated in the Southern Maine Elementary Math League. The seventh-grade team also delivered a strong performance in the Southern Maine Math League, consistently placing in the top half of competitors across four meets.
The fifth and sixth-grade teams’ undefeated run was bolstered by multiple individual students finishing in the top five at each event, highlighting both team and individual achievement. Top-performing students included Maddox Keddy, Ollie Long, Murphy Adams, Aurora Wilson, Nora LeBlanc, Josie LeBlanc, Charles Larsen, Tyler Blais, Kay Pierson, and Noah Villiora, who consistently ranked among the highest scorers throughout the season, a testament to their consistent performance and preparation.
Biddeford Middle School’s (BMS) sixth-grade Math Meet placed first at their last meet of the year! Pictured: (L-R) Kaden Hinson, Noah Villora, Nora LeBlanc, Kay Pierson, Josie LeBlanc, and Charles Larsen. (Contributed Photo)
The seventh-grade team, competing in the Southern Maine Math League, also had a commendable year. They secured 2nd place at the first meet, followed by 4th place finishes at both the second and third meets, and 6th place at the season’s final meet.
“We are so proud of our students’ dedication and perseverance throughout the year,” said Suzanne Tighe, BMS Math Meet Coach. “They put in the effort week after week, and their results reflect not only talent, but also teamwork and a true love of learning.”
Biddeford Middle School Principal Scott Descoteaux added, “It’s exciting to see our students thriving in such a challenging academic setting. The success of these teams is a reflection of the hard work by our staff, families, and—most importantly—our students. We look forward to seeing what they accomplish next.”
Biddeford Middle School’s (BMS) fifth grade Math Meet team earned first place at all four meets this season, finishing undefeated in the Southern Maine Elementary Math League. Pictured: (Front Row, L-R) Kalina Simard, Ollie Long, Theodore Pierson, Carson Charland; (Middle Row, L-R) Julia Pettyjohn, Natalie Deschambault, Libby Loranger, Aurora Wilson; and (Back Row, L-R) Murphy Adams, Joe LeBlanc, Tyler Blais, Maddox Keddy. (Contributed Photo)
Biddeford Middle School is proud to celebrate the success and hard work of its students. These young mathematicians demonstrated strong teamwork, critical thinking, and academic excellence. Their achievements set a positive example for peers and reflect the vibrant academic culture at BMS.
Karen Garnett is the communications director for the Biddeford School System. She can be contacted at kgarnett@biddefordschools.me
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Editor’s note:The following is a response that Biddeford City Council President Liam LaFountain sent to a resident who expressed concerns about this year’s municipal budget.
By Liam LaFountain
Thank you for taking the time to write and for your thoughtful engagement with this year’s city budget. Your questions about affordability, sustainability, and fiscal discipline are essential. I appreciate the opportunity to respond and provide additional context on this year’s proposed budget.
Your recognition of the value that organizations like Heart of Biddeford, McArthur Library, and our food security and cultural institutions bring to the city is deeply appreciated. These organizations stretch every dollar and are actively engaged in fundraising and collaboration. They are not resting on municipal support alone.
For example, Heart of Biddeford, to which the Budget Committee awarded $110,000 this year (a 10% increase from last year), operates on a total budget of $270,500—meaning the City’s share is approximately 41%. In return, they run 16 community events (many spanning multiple days or weeks), manage the Art of Biddeford initiative, conduct business training, and support downtown vibrancy year-round.
Biddeford City Councilor Liam LaFountain
McArthur Library, a private nonprofit that functions as Biddeford’s public library, requested $1.25 million, and the Budget Committee awarded $1 million (a 33% increase from last year). That represents 48% of its $2.081 million annual budget. With 4,825 active cardholders and 6,500 in-person visits each month from Biddeford residents, it remains one of our city’s most widely used public services.
While the library holds a $6 million endowment, it’s my understanding that they are only able to draw down 4–5% annually per the terms of Robert McArthur’s will, and those funds are restricted in their use. I recognize the City’s contribution is substantial, but so is the library’s role in our city’s physical and social infrastructure.
Particularly in times of economic strain, the library’s value as one of the few free and welcoming places to access books, the internet, programming, and essential public services becomes even more critical. Every time I reflect on its role and its municipal funding, I am reminded of both childhood memories of the library and a quote from President Franklin D. Roosevelt: “I have an unshaken conviction that democracy can never be undermined if we maintain our library resources and a national intelligence capable of utilizing them.” With reduced federal and state support for libraries, Biddeford is fortunate to have one so deeply rooted in public service. Without the McArthur Library, Biddeford would need to build, staff, and maintain a municipal library from the ground up—a much more expensive alternative.
On the question of duplication and collaboration in food services, I believe the three food-related nonprofits supported by the City provide distinct, highly targeted services and collaborate extensively:
In-A-Pinch Non-Food Pantry: The Budget Committee awarded $4,500 (18% of their total budget). 100% of funding goes to supplies and services, and there is no paid staff.
Bon Appétit Community Meal Program: the Budget Committee awarded $24,000 (40% of their budget); volunteer-run, serving 26,000 hot meals in 2024—about 92 cents per meal for the City’s contribution.
Youth Full Maine: the Budget Committee awarded $10,000 (3% of their budget), supporting food distributions at Rotary Park and downtown, and direct deliveries to school pantries and teen programs. They served over 600 Biddeford residents last year—about $16 per person served in City funds.
Altogether, the Budget Committee awarded $38,500 to these these three organization and their food security efforts this year. I wish we did not have to allocate a single dollar to these programs. But the alternative—letting people go hungry—is not one I can support.
Biddeford Community Gardens, which the Budget Committee awarded $17,871 (28% of their budget), served over 500 residents in 2024. They operate in city parks and Housing Authority properties, charge no fees (but require a work service component for beneficiaries), and provide Bon Appétit Community Meal Program and Youth Full Maine with fresh produce (another key example of their collaborations). They also collaborate with over a dozen organizations across Biddeford and help maintain and beautify portions of Biddeford parks and public spaces.
Regarding holiday lighting, the Budget Committee awarded $5,000, not $20,000. These funds allow Heart of Biddeford and La Kermesse to install battery-powered lights in areas without electric access, helping create a welcoming winter atmosphere throughout the downtown without drawing on City staff time.
On local history and cultural preservation, the Budget Committee awarded:
$7,875 to the Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center (29% of their budget), which maintains archives and offers year-round programming.
$7,500 to the Biddeford Historical Society (33% of their budget), which maintains our area’s oldest meetinghouse (7 Meetinghouse Road) and several historic cemeteries.
$2,625 to the Biddeford Mills Museum (6% of their budget). The museum is entirely volunteer-run and has no paid staff. In 2024, the Museum logged 1,213 volunteer hours, welcomed 525 museum visitors, led 438 standard tours, 16 special tours, and provided guided educational tours to 418 students about Biddeford’s industrial history.
The Budget Committee awarded $18,000 in total to preserve and promote Biddeford’s history through these three organizations—about 78 cents per resident.
In summary: The Budget Committee received $1,974,957 in funding requests from social service and nonprofit partners and awarded$1,376,486.50—about 69.7% of what was requested. Some requests were partially funded, and others not funded at all.
These awards make up 2.9% of the City’s $47,821,494 municipal appropriation. In contrast, the largest cost drivers of the municipal budget and use of tax dollars remain Public Safety ($14,773,566) and Public Works ( $6,051,410)—with $20,824,976 budgeted this year across Police, Fire, EMS, Public Works, sanitation, and city infrastructure. The largest portion of those costs is for salaries and wages for the essential staff who protect public safety, plow and maintain roads, pick up trash, and keep the city’s systems functioning year-round.
On the education side, while the overall budget increased by 5.84%, 4.18% of that growth comes from the School Department. The City’s portion rose 1.44%, and County expenses increased 0.22%. Education costs are rising due to higher wages for teachers and support staff, increased needs for student services, and a sharp reduction in state funding.
With 60% of students economically disadvantaged and 21% qualifying for special education, the state covers just 37% of Biddeford’s total school budget—leaving 63% to local taxpayers. At the same time, Biddeford educates students at a cost of $15,273 per pupil, below the state average of $17,028 and significantly less than South Portland ($19,592) and Saco ($17,347).
That efficiency also means we are investing less per student than many of our peers—not necessarily a point of pride, but a reflection of the financial constraints the School Committee and City Council must navigate. While local taxpayers may experience some relief from lower education spending per student compared to the state average and our peers, the consequences are borne by our students and educators through reduced resources and increased strain. These students are not only learners today—they are the future leaders, workers, and contributors to the strength of this city tomorrow.
Through more than 10 public meetings, several other councilors and I proposed dozens of amendments to the budget to improve efficiency and reduce the tax commitment.
I’d be remiss if I did not also mention that over the past nine weeks, through more than 10 public meetings, several other councilors and I proposed dozens of amendments to the budget to improve efficiency and reduce the tax commitment. Some succeeded—such as reducing expenses for conferences and training, dues and memberships, user licenses, advertising, and cutting a transfer that subsidized the mooring program. Others, like adjusting development-related fees, were partially successful.
Efforts to raise dispatch service fees charged to other municipalities did not gain traction. I also advocated for increased funding for municipal building maintenance and capital investments—a line item that decreased this year despite growing need—but that, too, was not adopted. Unfortunately, the consequence of underfunding this area is often deferred maintenance that becomes more expensive to address later and can disrupt basic services if not resolved in time.
These were difficult calls. None of us entered this process expecting it to be easy. But every amendment offered reflected an attempt to balance long-term responsibility with today’s fiscal realities.
I understand the concern that the continued growth of the city budget is not sustainable for many Biddeford residents. That is why I believe it is critical that both City government and the organizations we support continue to ask tough questions, pursue efficiencies, and seek out alternative funding sources. This year’s process included many of those conversations.
While the final outcome is not perfect, it reflects real attempts to prioritize essential services while holding the line where we could. The choices ahead will continue to be difficult, and the pressure to do more with less is real. But I believe that preserving affordability and maintaining the services that support our city’s well-being are not mutually exclusive goals—both are part of what it means to meet these fiscal challenges head-on.
In closing, thank you again for raising these questions and for participating in this process. Thoughtful public input like yours plays a meaningful role in shaping how our city is governed and funded. I hope the information I’ve shared helps clarify how and why certain allocations were made, even if not everyone agrees with every outcome. I don’t agree with every allocation in this budget either.
I apologize for the length of this reply—it is difficult to capture two months of Budget Committee work, and the many hours of staff time that went into crafting this document. This year’s budget, like everyone I’ve been part of, is imperfect, but it reflects an earnest effort to balance what we value with what we can realistically sustain.
Thank you again for writing. Please reach out at any time.
__________________
NOTE: If you would like to submit a column to the Biddeford Gazette, please contact us
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Three of the eight Biddeford teams placed in the State Competition; two move on to the World Finals
By KAREN GARNETT
Among the 71 teams representing Divisions I, II, and III at the Maine Odyssey of the Mind (OM) State Finals Tournament on April 5, three of the eight Biddeford teams placed in the Top 3 of their divisions. Both the Biddeford High School (BHS) Technical and Performance Teams were named State Champions and will compete in the World Finals in Michigan this May, while the Biddeford Intermediate School (BIS) Performance Team placed third in the State.
This marks the 14th time a Biddeford OM team has placed among the top three in the State and 12th time they have qualified for the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals, a testament to the district’s long-standing commitment to creativity, innovation, and student-led learning. Over the years, Biddeford’s teams have consistently demonstrated their ability to tackle complex problems with originality and teamwork, earning them national recognition and repeated invitations to the global stage.
Biddeford High School’s Performance and Technical Teams are named Maine State Odyssey of the Mind State Champions and World Finalists. Left to right: (Front row) Hugo Crockett-Current, Emily Michael, Elliott Aranovitch, and Troy Keddy; (Back row) Emma Cote, Kyle Perkins, Lara Galiardi, Ella Ireland, and James Cote; and (Missing from photo) Kayla Arsenault.
“The level of imagination, creativity, and problem solving skills from our students continues to amaze me,” said Biddeford’s Odyssey of the Mind District Coordinator Victoria Salo. “The best part of OM is the ability for each child to be themselves and use their strengths to create a team that works together and has fun in the process. I have seen past OM members become artists, singers, performers, and engineers. This program truly is for all students and their success could not be possible without the dedication and support of coaches and families.”
Odyssey of the Mind is a creative, problem-solving, extra-curricular program involving students from kindergarten through college. Teams of up to seven students work together at length, with limited guidance from a coach, to solve a predefined long-term problem and present their solution to the problem at a competition. From students in special education to the top academic performers, from athletes to drama students, or those interested in math and engineering, the OM Teams are an eclectic mix of various backgrounds and interests.
Biddeford’s OM program has grown significantly, with team participation increasing by 75% over the past eight years. This year, eight teams consisting of 48 students competed across Division I, II, and III levels: one team at Biddeford Primary School (BPS); three teams at Biddeford Intermediate School (BIS); two teams at Biddeford Middle School (BMS); and two at Biddeford High School (BHS).
“The level of imagination, creativity, and problem-solving skills from our students continues to amaze me.”
— Victoria Solo, district coordinator
Congratulations to the following students who won medals during the State Tournament: BHS Technical Team members Kayla Arsenault, Emma Cote,James Cote, Lara Galiardi, Ella Ireland, and Kyle Perkins (coached by Suzanne Tighe); BHS Performance Team members Elliott Aranovitch, Hugo Crockett-Current, Troy Keddy, and Emily Michael (coached by Victoria Salo); and BIS Performance Team members Pacey Eagle, Olivia Foster, Lillianna Forrest, Ripley Haskell-Murray, Alexander Haskell-Murray, Gabriella Norris, and Hayden Norris (coached by Teila Norris-Julien and Nicole Eagle).
Odyssey of the Mind hosts fundraisers throughout the year to support students attending World Finals. Fundraisers to date have included Family Fun Days, yard sales, bottle drives, baked sales, raffles, and calendar fundraisers. To be kept informed of upcoming fundraisers, please follow the Biddeford Odyssey of the Mind Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/biddOotM.
To make a contribution to the OM program directly, checks can be made payable to Biddeford High School with Odyssey of the Mind noted in the Memo Field and mailed to 20 Maplewood Avenue, Biddeford, ME 04005.
Karen Garnett is the communications director for the Biddeford-Saco school system. She can be reached atkgarnett@biddefordschools.me
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Blackout Percussion earns first place while Blizzard Winds secures second place.
By KAREN GARNETT
Biddeford’s Marching Arts program is closing out a remarkable season with top honors at the New England Scholastic Band Association (NESBA) Winter Percussion Finals. BlackOut Percussion earned first place, while Blizzard Winds secured a strong third-place finish, solidifying Biddeford’s standing as a powerhouse in the region.
Biddeford’s Marching Arts program was revived in 2019 after a decade-long hiatus and now bolsters 57 students from Biddeford High School and Biddeford Middle School. The program not only consists of BlackOut Percussion and Blizzard Winds but also BlackOut Percussion-B, a middle school concert-style percussion ensemble that represents the district’s commitment to cultivating musical excellence from an early age.
Biddeford’s Marching Arts Program, which consists of BlackOut Percussion (in white), BlackOut Percussion B (in black), and Blizzard Winds (in red). BlackOut Percussion earned first place, while Blizzard Winds secured a strong second-place finish, solidifying Biddeford’s standing as a powerhouse in the region. {Photo by Maureen Grandmaison Photography)
“We are so proud of what these students have accomplished this season,” said Michael Murphy, Biddeford High School Band Teacher and Marching Arts Director. “They’ve dedicated countless hours to rehearsals, shown tremendous growth as musicians and performers, and supported each other every step of the way. It’s incredibly rewarding to see their hard work recognized at such a high level.”
“We are so proud of what these students have accomplished this season.”
— Michael Murphy, BHS Band Teacher and Marching Arts director
Both BlackOut Percussion and Blizzard Winds have consistently placed first throughout the season in competitions on the NESBA and Maine Band Directors Association (MBDA) circuits. Their talent recently earned regional acclaim at the Dartmouth High School Winter Guard International (WGI) Regional Championships, with BlackOut Percussion placing first in percussion and Blizzard Winds taking second in the winds category. This season marks BlackOut Percussion’s second appearance on the national stage and Blizzard Winds’ first-ever performance at a Regional Championship, making their achievements even more remarkable.
For those who haven’t had the chance to experience these talented performers in action, the ensembles will cap off their season with a Friends and Family Finale Performance on Sunday, April 13, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. in the Biddeford High School Steve White Gym.
The community is invited to come celebrate these student musicians and their incredible accomplishments.
Karen Garnett is the communications director for the Biddeford-Saco school system. She can be reached atkgarnett@biddefordschools.me
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More than a year after a catastrophic storm decimated Biddeford’s beaches, coastal properties and roads, community organizations are calling for the city to move beyond cleanup and embrace a plan that would prepare coastal beaches and dunes for the next big storm.
Armed with fresh research on beach erosion and how best to combat it, the Biddeford Coastal Preservation Coalition (BCPC) is advocating with the city to develop a plan to restore and strengthen dunes as the best way to protect our vulnerable beaches.
The BCPC is a coalition of community groups from Hills Beach, Biddeford Pool, Middle and Fortunes Rocks beaches and Granite Point. Most of these beach communities are in the process of forming their own working groups under the BCPC umbrella. The coalition is also allied with other regional groups, notably the SOS (Save Our Shores) Saco Bay group that got its start in Camp Ellis six years ago to advocate for federal relief from damage done by the Saco Bay Jetty and has since become a clearing house for climate-related information.
In December, the BCPC presented at the Coastal Resiliency workshop with Biddeford City Council and requested that Biddeford develop a comprehensive Coastal/Beach Management Program into its 2023 Climate Action Plan. According to BPCP President Kimberly Matthews, the group is advocating that the plan prioritize resilience when restoring beaches, dunes and marshes. Local infrastructure such as roads should also include resilience measures. New beach-facing buildings, building restorations and seawalls are already governed by state regulations.
Matthews said that BCPC is advocating for what is well established as best practices for beach protection — restoration of dunes and replanting of sea grass to allow for natural regeneration of the dunes. “Dunes and beaches serve as the first lines of defense during storms, protecting coastal infrastructure from erosion and flooding, and providing critical habitat to birds and other wildlife. These areas are also vulnerable to sea level rise,” the group notes.
In response, the Biddeford City Council has established a Sustainability Commission, which met for the first time Tuesday. Commissioners agreed to take up the BCPC proposals at future meetings, along with other sustainability issues.
By good fortune, a team of researchers from the University of New England had been measuring some of the Biddeford beaches before the January 2024 storms, and their work since the storms have produced precise information on just how much damage occurred from those storms, and how much the landscape has recovered since then.
The results of the UNE research is summarized in the BPCP year-end newsletter. Among the findings are that an astonishing 28 percent destruction of dune area on the four beaches they studied in Saco, Biddeford, and Kennebunkport. But while beaches tended to replentish themselves, dunes were repaired at a much slower rate. And the UNE research made clear that dunes are the most important line of defense against further erosion or damage from storms.
Dune restoration is already under way by a few private owners, and just recently the Biddeford Pool Conservation Trust, which now owns the former Marie Joseph property in Biddeford Pool, mounted a large, all-volunteer effort at their new property.
But climate mitigation is hardly a sure thing. “The estimate to have the beach grass planted professionally came in at $148,000,” recalls Lucie Fontaine, chair of the Biddeford Pool Preservation Trust. “This seemed like an enormous amount to spend on a project that could again be wiped out by a bad storm.”
Having done a small planting the year before, she knew the cost of the stalks was relatively low and that the planning process was relatively simple. Fontaine ordered 12,000 stalks of sea grass from the supplier she had used before, and paid just $2,040. “We put out a call for volunteers, and within days we had sufficient planters to do the job.
“The community was amazing! I had expected it to take the full two weeks to get the stalks planted, but in the end we pulled it off in just three afternoons with 35 volunteers including 14 from UNE. Now we wait to see how the grass takes and if it survives the high tides. But the plan is definitely to continue the project next year!”
Dune restoration in beaches like those at Biddeford Pool and Fortunes Rocks face several obstacles. The main issue is that a significant stretch of that two-mile beach is backed by riprap or sea walls. The UNE researched highlighted what has long been known, that beaches with sea walls do not recover as quickly as beaches with dunes because of the way the waves rebound.
The second issue is the high cost of bringing in new sand to build up the dunes after a major storm. The UNE researchers reported that in the few cases where private owners scraped sand from the beach to build up their dunes, they had some success, but the beach itself was slow to recover.
One potential answer to that issue is the dredge that York County purchased in 2022, and is now awaiting its first mission, probably in Wells. The issue of the dredge and how to use it most effectively was raised at a March 17 symposium organized by SOS Saco Bay, when it was revealed that Biddeford is the only coastal municipality in the county that has not signed on to an agreement to use the dredge.
Thomas McPheeters is a former journalist and a Biddeford resident. He can be reached at tommcp@me.com
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The last time I wrote to you, I spoke about the importance of MaineCare, our state’s version of the Medicaid program. MaineCare provides health care to low-income families and children, people with disabilities and pregnant women, and is overwhelmingly supported by Maine people.
I also wrote about how Maine faces the same challenge as many red and blue states – the cost of health care is rising and state budgets are having a hard time keeping up.
This fiscal year, which runs until the end of June 2025, we face a $117 million gap in MaineCare. If unaddressed, providers already facing financial challenges would be put in an even more difficult situation. In some dire cases, providers could be forced to shut their doors – and when those doors shut, they shut for all of us.
State Sen. Henry Ingwersen (D-York)
In the last month, members of the Legislature’s budget committee worked hard to reach a bipartisan agreement on a supplemental budget that would fix this gap and get funding out the door quickly.
I was very pleased when, in early February, they reached a deal and voted unanimously to recommend passage of the supplemental budget to the full legislature. However, my Republican colleagues suddenly walked back on the deal and began insisting that to earn their support, we would need to make cuts to MaineCare and housing assistance.
While I disagree with these cuts, these are large policy conversations that can certainly be had as the Legislature moves to construct a biennial budget – which covers the next two fiscal years – in the coming weeks. Right now, Maine people are counting on us to keep MaineCare afloat and to do it quickly.
A unique aspect of Maine law requires a two-thirds vote in the Maine House and Senate to approve emergency funding, which means strong, bipartisan support. Without this two-thirds vote needed to get this funding out the door, the Department of Health and Human Services will begin cutting back funds owed to hospitals, nursing homes, and home and community-based services as early as March.
We have continued to hold votes, and Republicans continue to oppose the plan they had previously agreed to. The more votes we take, the less I understand why there is opposition.
–State Sen. Henry Ingwersen
We have continued to hold votes, and Republicans continue to oppose the plan they had previously agreed to. The more votes we take, the less I understand why there is opposition. Our most rural communities rely heavily on keeping MaineCare functional – 45 percent of folks in Washington County; 40 percent in Aroostook County and an average of 37 percent across Oxford, Franklin, Somerset and Piscataquis counties are enrolled in MaineCare.
Many of us in the Legislature are here to make sure that our rural areas are not left behind.
In addition to the people covered by MaineCare in these areas, the small health care providers that strengthen our small towns are at most risk of harm. The Maine Primary Care Association recently told the Press Herald, “Health centers operate in small, rural towns in each county, and are also present and essential in Maine’s bigger cities; like many other health care providers, they are not designed to weather endless instability in payments.”
As I’ve learned in my time on the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee, Maine already has many “care deserts” across our state, forcing folks to travel long distances to get the services they need. I am deeply worried that not approving this funding means the problem would only get worse.
Every day in Augusta, as I chair the Health and Human Services Committee, I hear more stories of folks struggling with access to health care. Folks like Vickie, from Norway, who shared how her insurance did not cover services she felt would have made a real difference in her mental health care.
We need to be moving forward on health care access, not backward. I stand ready to support critical funding for MaineCare, and I hope my colleagues will join me to find a path forward for Maine people.
The people of my district and the rest of Maine are not the least bit interested in the political games taking place here in Augusta. They want to make sure that they continue to get the quality health care they deserve for their families. They deserve no less from us.
As always, if you have any questions about the information here or if you would like to reach out with a comment, question or concern, you can reach out to me any time. If you want to stay up-to-date on what we’re working on in Augusta, please sign up for my email newsletter at mainesenate.org or visit my Facebook page at facebook.com/IngwersenForMaine.
Henry Ingwersen represents District 32 in the Maine Senate, which includes Biddeford and the surrounding communities of Arundel, Dayton, Hollis and Lyman. He can be reached at Henry.Ingwersen@legislature.maine.gov or 207-287-1515
Editor’s note: The views expressed here are those of the author. If you would like to contribute an opinion column, please contact us at biddefordgazette@gmail.com This column was also published in the Biddeford-Saco Courier
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Every year, the city makes difficult choices about where to invest tax dollars — from public safety and road repairs to parks and essential services. Budget season is when those decisions take shape.
The city budget is more than numbers — it’s a fiscal statement of what Biddeford values and how much we value it. It determines funding for schools, emergency services, infrastructure, and other priorities. Every dollar spent reflects a choice about the kind of city we want and the future we are building together.
Biddeford’s fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30, meaning we are currently operating under the Fiscal Year 2025 budget. The budget now under review will determine spending for FY2026, which begins July 1, 2025.
Biddeford City Council President Liam LaFountain (Courtesy photo)
Over the next few months, elected officials will balance priorities and make difficult choices. This process is one of the most comprehensive and consequential in local government, and understanding it empowers residents to engage effectively.
How the Budget Process Works
Each department submits a budget based on projected needs for the next fiscal year. Department heads submitted their requests in January. For example, Public Works must estimate how much salt will be needed for winter storms, a costly but essential factor. The Fire Department may request new life-saving equipment for emergency response. Other departments, from Police to Recreation, have needs ranging from staffing to facility maintenance, utility costs, and programming that must be balanced with competing needs and limited resources.
These requests go to the City Manager’s Office and Finance Department, which review and adjust them to balance needs with available revenues. This process, completed in February, ensures the proposed budget reflects department expertise and fiscal oversight before being submitted to the City Council in March.
How the City Council Reviews the Budget
Once submitted, the City Council forms the Budget Committee, which includes all councilors, to review the budget in depth. The committee meets regularly — typically on Monday and Thursday evenings for several months — to refine the budget.
The first few meetings provide an overview of each department’s budget, where department heads present their proposals and answer questions. These meetings, held in Council Chambers, are open to the public. The city’s website will provide a calendar of meetings, public hearings, and deadlines, ensuring residents have multiple opportunities to follow the process and provide input.
Every budget should reflect the values of the people it serves. This is your money, your city, and your budget.
— Councilor Liam LaFountain
Key Cost Drivers: Why Costs Rise
The FY2025 municipal budget totaled $44.8 million, with the largest shares allocated to Public Safety ($14.2M) and Public Works ($5.9M). This does not include the $47.3 million school budget, which is managed separately by the School Committee.
Property taxes remain the primary funding source for municipal operations, as other revenue sources do not fully account for the level and quantity of services the city provides. While Biddeford also relies on state revenue sharing, tax programs like Homestead and BETE, and other revenue such as building permits and user fees, these sources covered only 35% of municipal expenses in FY2025, leaving property taxes to fund the remaining 65%.
As state revenue sharing and school funding formulas shift costs to municipalities like ours, Biddeford taxpayers have absorbed a greater financial share. Rising wages, energy expenses, and infrastructure needs continue to drive costs higher annually.
Additionally, unfunded state and federal mandates require municipalities to cover new expenses without additional funding, adding to financial pressures. Balancing rising costs while maintaining essential services is a key challenge.
How to Engage in the Process
Public input is crucial. Residents can participate by:
Attending public hearings and Budget Committee meetings (dates available on the city’s website).
Reviewing budget documents, available on the city’s website.
Contacting city councilors with questions or concerns.
Following updates through city communications and local media.
Every budget should reflect the values of the people it serves. This is your money, your city, and your budget. The choices made in this municipal budget will help shape Biddeford’s services, infrastructure, and priorities. Your engagement ensures a more informed and responsive budget.
If you have thoughts on priorities or questions about the budget process, please contact your city councilor. These discussions help shape the decisions that will impact our city’s future.
The views expressed in this column are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Biddeford City Council.
Local students demonstrated their spelling prowess at the York County Spelling Bee, held earlier this month at Massabesic Middle School. Twelve talented spellers in grades 5-8 from schools across southern Maine, including Biddeford, Saco, Bonny Eagle, and Wells, competed for the county title in a contest that came down to an intense tie-breaking spelldown lasting two extra rounds.
Scarlett Lantz of Wells Junior High claimed the championship and will advance to the Maine State Spelling Bee on March 22 at Bowdoin College. Representing Saco Middle School, Olivia Blais secured the runner-up position after an impressive performance.
First Row (L to R): Howard Conklin, Joe Bailey, Jeremy Nielsen, Leo L’Italien, Marko Marjanovic, and Jahvied Joseph. Back Row (L to R): Reed Direnzo, Olivia Blais, Donny Denton, Tyler Donahue, and Brycen Drake.
Saco and Biddeford were well-represented in the competition. Marko Marjanovic of CK Burns School in Saco and Jeremy Nielsen of Massabesic Middle School tied for third place. Brycen Drake of Biddeford Middle School and Leo L’Italien of Saco Middle School finished in a three-way tie for fifth place. Jahvied Joseph of Biddeford Middle School, Donny Denton of CK Burns School, and Joe Bailey of Bonny Eagle Middle School all competed fiercely but exited in the early rounds.
Superintendent Jeremy Ray praised the students for their achievements, stating, “We are incredibly proud of our students from Saco and Biddeford who participated in this year’s York County Spelling Bee. Their dedication, hard work, and perseverance were on full display, and they represented their schools with excellence. Congratulations to Olivia Blais for her outstanding runner-up finish and to all of our spellers for their impressive performances.”
Per rules, misspelled and winning words are not allowed to be published as other regions conduct their bees. The Maine State Champion will move on to the prestigious Scripps National Spelling Bee this May, marking the 100th anniversary of the national competition, which will be broadcast on the ION network.
Karen Garnett is the communications director for the Biddeford School System. She can be contacted at kgarnett@biddefordschools.me
Discovering what excites and motivates students can be a game-changer in education, boosting engagement, academic performance, and overall well-being.
This month, Biddeford High School (BHS) hosted “Passion Classes,” a special day filled with a unique curriculum designed to help students explore new hobbies and interests while fostering meaningful connections with teachers.
For one day, teachers stepped outside their traditional subjects to share something they are passionate about—whether it’s a life skill, creative hobby, or unique interest. Students were given the opportunity to choose three sessions throughout the day, selecting from a wide range of engaging topics.
(BHS) students enjoy making diamond paintings as part of the “Passion Classes,” a special day filled with a unique curriculum designed to help students explore new hobbies and interests while fostering meaningful connections with teachers. (Contributed photo)
Some sessions focused on practical life skills, such as making sushi, homemade pasta, or pancakes, while others introduced students to weightlifting techniques or the basics of sourdough baking.
Creativity took center stage in sessions on knitting and crocheting, embroidery, and candle-making, while other offerings helped students develop social-emotional skills through communication workshops, meditation, and even mapmaking.
For those looking for something fun and interactive, options included trivia, chess, and even a session on planning the perfect Disney trip.
This initiative aligns with the growing focus on social-emotional learning (SEL), which encourages students to explore their passions, develop confidence, and build a sense of purpose. Finding one’s passion in high school can lead to greater motivation, more substantial learning outcomes, and even help shape future career choices.
Just as importantly, these Passion Classes create opportunities for students to connect with teachers in new ways, discovering shared interests that can strengthen relationships beyond the classroom.
Last year’s event was a huge success, with students forming meaningful bonds with teachers over common hobbies—relationships that continued to grow throughout the school year and contributed to a more positive and supportive learning environment.
BHS students making homemade pasta as part of the “Passion Classes,” a special day filled with a unique curriculum designed to help students explore new hobbies and interests while fostering meaningful connections with teachers.
“Passions fuel curiosity and drive learning in ways traditional instruction sometimes cannot,” said Martha Jacques, Biddeford High School Principal. “When students have a reason to build skills—whether it’s reading, math, or problem-solving—because they need those skills to go further in something they love, they become more engaged and invested in their learning.”
The creative classes reflect the school’s commitment to connect with one another and continuously foster a sense of belonging for students and staff. While strong relationships are forged in the classrooms each day, Biddeford High School works to elevate these efforts with school-wide co-curricular activities aimed at supporting its core values of Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Dependability, and Empathy. These opportunities are called “PRIDE Days”.
Karen Garnett is the communications director for the Biddeford-Saco system. She can be reached atkgarnett@biddefordschools.me
This week at the Statehouse was front-loaded and compact. Many of my colleagues traveled on the biannual Maine Development Foundation tour across the state, learning about economic development particularly in Penobscot and Aroostook Counties from Wednesday through Friday. I’ve always wanted to attend, but it’s difficult to manage with family obligations. One of these days I will.
On Monday, the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee met, adopted committee rules, held one public hearing and voted on two lines relevant to our work in the Governor’s supplemental budget. One of those lines appropriated money to the Secretary of State’s office to offset costs associated with the 2024 election which were higher than anticipated.
State Rep. Marc Malon
Funding our election systems is critical, and I voted to support this one-time appropriation. The other line was requested by the Secretary of State to cover their Maine IT costs, which were billed to them at a higher amount than expected. I was in the minority in voting Yes on this, but agreed with my colleagues that the Appropriations Committee should ask tough questions of the Department of Administrative and Financial Services for why they hiked their IT bill (to the tune of $19k).
Tuesday, we had a relatively uneventful session where we referred many bills to committees. I also announced to colleagues that the Franco American Caucus was going to begin its work and that folks should think of individuals in their communities who might deserve nominations for the Franco American Hall of Fame.
After Session, the Housing and Economic Development Committee met and listened to the report from HR&A Advisors on how to address the state’s 84,000-unit shortfall. The report was comprehensive and gave us significant food for thought. NewsCenter produced an excellent story on their presentation and published the full report here: https://www.newscentermaine.com/…/97-847e89d5-dd04-4678…
The speech, like any of these addresses, contained plenty to like and dislike. That’s normal. It’s a tough budget this year,
After committee, I attended a lecture at the Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine commemorating the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and Birkenau. The lecture, partly organized by my colleague Rep. Sam Zager, offered us a sobering look at how Hitler was able to quickly consolidate power and destroy German democracy, a necessary condition for him to further pursue his plans, including the planned extermination of Jews. There are serious lessons to learn from this history which I hope we will take to heart.
Following this presentation, we returned to the State House for Governor Mills’s State of the State Address. The speech, like any of these addresses, contained plenty to like and dislike. That’s normal. It’s a tough budget this year, and the Appropriations Committee will carefully review her budget proposals to see how they can be improved.
I liked that she stood strong in her commitment to funding MaineCare, which covers a significant percentage of Mainers, as well as 55% of the costs of public education, revenue sharing, and free school lunches. I did not like the stance she took against adopting red flag gun laws which would strengthen public safety. No one agrees 100 percent of the time. When I liked what she said, I stood and clapped. When I didn’t, I politely remained in my seat.
What was not helpful, however, is that one of my legislative colleagues recruited protesters to the State House to shout at and heckle the Governor, her family, and legislators from both parties. One of the hecklers I recognized as a former political candidate who believes the horrific Sandy Hook shootings were a hoax. People have the right to protest, and the right to be as rude to us as they want. That’s fine! But we have the right to not be persuaded by such antics, and I wasn’t.
Finally, I would be remiss if I did not note the impact that certain federal actions have on Maine. I would love for my posts to stay focused on state policy, but some actions are so impactful that I can’t avoid mentioning them.
The chaos and confusion caused by the federal OMB memo on Tuesday blocking the funding of all grants and federal funding to programs that Mainers rely on was unacceptable. Though the memo was rescinded after significant outcry, it put people’s livelihoods in question. These programs included LIHEAP, Meals on Wheels, and numerous initiatives at the University of Maine. That is no way to govern.
Just yesterday the Trump administration announced significant tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China. I am not a free trade fundamentalist, but these tariffs are ill-conceived and very harmful to Maine consumers. Canada is our largest trading partner and a trade war with them hurts Maine workers too.
Overall, these tariffs will raise prices on energy, heating, food, housing, and cars. This is not what we need, and I will add my voice to the chorus demanding that Trump walk this back.
State Rep. Marc Malon is a Democrat representing a portion of Biddeford in the Maine Legislature. He may be contacted at:Marc.Malon@legislature.maine.gov
The views and opinions presented here are solely those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Biddeford Gazette or its publisher.
The Gazette is always happy to consider reader-submitted commentary for the Community Voices section of the Biddeford Gazette. For more information, please email: biddefordgazette@gmail.com.
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