Former Biddeford City Manager Jim Bennett is asking the city of Biddeford to financially reimburse him for expenses he incurred while performing as a Shriner’s clown in June and July this year.
According to documents obtained by the Biddeford Gazette, Bennett is asking the city for a total of $798.92 in expense reimbursements, including an overnight hotel stay in Wilton and for mileage to and from the Yarmouth Clam Festival Parade.
Bennett routinely dresses as a clown named Ginjo as part of his support for Kora Temple Shriners.
Former city manager James Bennett as Ginjo (Facebook photo)
Bennett is currently in the midst of a lawsuit he filed against the city earlier this year.
City Attorney Harry Center told the Gazette that the city has no plans to reimburse Bennett for those expenses.
Bennett was hired as Biddeford’s city manager in June 2015. His management style became a subject of community controversy over the last two years.
Bennett announced his resignation on October 14, describing it as phased “retirement,” despite the fact that he had more than a year remaining in his current contract.
Bennett publicly announced that he would step down in April.
On February 20, city officials booted Bennett from his office. City officials say they cannot comment about why Bennett was shown the door earlier than planned.
Although the Biddeford Gazette filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) asking for more details, Center said the city could not comment on personnel issues.
Earlier this year, Bennett filed a civil lawsuit in York County Superior Court against the city, claiming he is still owed salary. The city responded with a counter claim, saying Bennett was in breach of his contract.
That case is still pending in court.
One Biddeford resident, who asked for anonymity, told the Gazette that she is “dumbfounded” by Bennett’s request to be reimbursed for activities that happened months after he was removed from office. “You simply cannot make this [stuff] up,” she said. “He wants me and other taxpayers to cover his expenses as a clown in another community? Unbelievable.”
Bennett told the Gazette: “It is not [a] reimbursement request.”
“My employment agreement required the city to pay for my civic and community activities,” Bennett said. “However, I never asked the city to pay for those costs.
“Instead, I turned in any costs at on offset to my mileage stipend. There is no truth to it being any additional cost to the city.”
Bennett has been a member of Kora Temple Shriners for nearly 40 years. Shriners operate hospitals and facilitate medical treatment for children with serious illnesses.
NOTE: This story was updated to include Mr. Bennett’s remarks.
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be contacted by email: randy@randyseaver.com
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According to a press release issued Friday, Biddeford Police arrested Emil Girard, a 26-year-old transient, on multiple charges on Thursday, August 7, stemming from two shooting incidents.
Girard was arrested on Elm Street in Biddeford, and is now facing multiple charges, including parole violations in Maine and New Hampshire.
Girard is also being charged with Elevated Aggravated Assault, a Class A felony.
Emil Girard is facing multiple criminal charges in connection with two shooting events.
Girard was transported to the York County Sheriff’s Department when he was unable to make the $50,000.00 cash bail.
The Biddeford charges stem from two separate shooting incidents, July 31, and August 4. Both incidents occurred on Pearl Street in Biddeford.
Police say the July 31 victim is a 46-year-old man who received medical treatment. The August 4 victim is a 21-year-old male who also received medical treatment.
Through investigation by the Criminal Investigation Division, evidence in both attacks linked Girard as the sole shooter, according to police.
Police are not providing any additional information at this time because both incidents are active, ongoing investigations.
Police say it is likely that Girard will face additional charges.
Police Chief JoAnne Fisk said — “out of an abundance of caution” the incidents led to the cancellation of this year’s Night Out event
Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be contacted by email: randy@randyseaver.com
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The Biddeford Planning Board voted 3-2 Wednesday to give final approval for the University of New England’s controversial proposal to build a research pier on the Saco River in front of their Biddeford campus.
The board’s decision caps off almost two years of a somewhat complex regulatory review process that included both state and federal agencies.
UNE has now cleared the final hurdle of the review process, which allows them to begin applying for the necessary construction permits.
The university has indicated that they are hoping to begin construction in the fall.
A frustrated group of residents and mooring owners watch as the Biddeford Planning Board deliberated whether to give final approval for the University of New England’s research pier. (Seaver photo)
Once again, tensions were high as the board deliberated their final review of the project.
The board’s decision was not well received by several members of the public who attended the meeting to speak against the project.
The planning board has seven-members, including board chair Alexa Plotkin and two non-voting members.
Planning Board members Susan Deschambault and Larry Patoine voted in favor of the proposal, while members Roch Angers and Matt Dubois voted against the proposal.
Plotkin broke the tie, voting in favor of the application and also voted against an earlier motion to table review of the university’s application.
Opponents feel frustrated, ignored
Several residents and others approached the podium to express their concerns about the proposal.
A common theme heard from opponents were several complaints about the former city manager’s decision to remove both the city’s harbormaster and assistant harbormaster from the review process of the university’s proposal.
Gary MacMullen told the board that he had a good and close relationship with the late Marshall Alexander who served 37 years as the city’s harbormaster and resigned a few years ago because of health concerns.
“There is so much value and so much to be said regarding the importance of local knowledge,” MacMullen told the board. “Out-of-town engineers are great, but they lack specific, local knowledge about the intricacies of the Saco River.”
MacMullen described the person selected by the city to provide harbormaster review of the proposal is a “railroad engineer,” not familiar with the Saco River.
“When I have a problem with my neck, I don’t go see a podiatrist,” MacMullen said.
City Attorney Harry Center, however, strenuously objected to the term of “railroad engineer” as both inaccurate and misleading.
Center, clearly frustrated, told the board he was tired of hearing remarks that the city’s harbormaster was replaced by a “railroad engineer.”
Center reminded the board that TEC Associates – based in South Portland — is an experienced, professional engineering consulting firm that also has a division, which offers marine structural consulting services.
“This issue has become a red herring,” Center told the board. “It is a fake argument.”
Feeling abused and ignored
Capt. Shawn Tibbetts, and other mooring owners who will be impacted by the pier, attended Wednesday’s meeting.
“Not only have you sidelined the benefits of local knowledge, but we are also being ignored,” Tibbets told the board. “The harbormaster has been silenced by the city, but the city is also ignoring those of us who make our living on the water.”
Biddeford resident Matt Haas said no one in the city should be worried about whether the university will file a lawsuit if the proposal were to be denied.
“That’s not your concern,” Haas told the board. “Your job is to make sure you are representing the city and its people.”
Hills Beach resident Chris Stone lives not far from the university’s campus.
“We need to stop treating this like a slam dunk,” she said. “I do feel bad for this board, however. You are the only ones who have given this any daylight.”
Walter Alexander said the entire review process was flawed.
“I feel bad for you guys,” Alexander said. “This should have started at the city council level. You guys have been drastically misguided.”
Alternate board member Kayla Lewis said she feels torn on this issue, saying the city’s own ordinances on the subject are less than clear. “I understand why people are upset, but I also feel the university did all the right things in submitting their application.
“This should have started at the city council level. You guys have been drastically misguided.”
— Walter Alexander
Lewis urged residents to consider working with the planning board and the city’s policy committee to help update and clarify the ordinances. “Please keep engaging with us,” she said.
Following the meeting, a UNE spokesperson said they we were pleased by the final vote.
“This was a challenging process, and we appreciate the planning board’s careful consideration of UNE’s application and adherence to the city’s ordinances,” said Sarah Delage, associate vice president of communications. “We look forward to moving ahead with the next phase of the project.”
Note: An earlier version of this story mistakenly identified Gary MacMullen as Gary Plamondon. It was a reporting error, and we apologize for any confusion.
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be contacted by email: randy@randyseaver.com
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One of Biddeford’s best-known and respected political leaders has decided that she is going to seek one of the two at-large seats on the Biddeford City Council.
Lisa Vadnais, 64, has served on the Biddeford School Committee for 16 years, including four years as that board’s chair. Over the last few years, Vadnais has demonstrated strong popularity among Biddeford voters and political observers.
In the last two election cycles (2023 and 2021), no one candidate has earned more overall votes than Vadnais. In 2023, she earned 3,374 votes for school committee. The next highest vote-getter was At-Large Councilor Marc Lessard with 3,021 votes and Mayor Martin Grohman with 2,894 votes.
Lisa Vadnais (Contributed photo)
Two years earlier, Vadnais garnered 3,297 votes for her return to the school committee. The next highest vote-getter that year was former mayor Alan Casavant with 3,237 votes, easily fending off a challenge by Victoria Foley for a sixth consecutive term.
“I just think it’s time for me to open a seat on the school committee for someone new; someone who can bring a fresh perspective to the table,” Vadnais said while explaining her decision to leave the school committee.
Vadnais said she is running for the city council because she is concerned about several things happening in the city, most notably rapid growth of large-scale housing projects that do little to benefit people who grew up in the city.
“I just think we need to take a pause and carefully consider what direction we want for our city.”
–Lisa Vadnais
“We can’t just keep spending taxpayer money without understanding the impact that has on people who are struggling to make ends meet,” Vadnais said.
Vadnais spent 35 years as a special education teacher in local schools. Today, she describes herself as “semi-retired,” working for a heating fuel company that she and her husband have operated for many years.
“I am not a politician,” she said. “I grew up here, I just think we need to take a pause and carefully consider what direction we want for our city.”
According to the Biddeford City Clerk’s office, Vadnais is the only at-large candidate who has turned in qualifying nomination papers in order to appear on the November ballot.
Other candidates hoping for one of the two at-large seats include incumbent Marc Lessard, former school committee member Dominic Deschambault, and political newcomers Greg Shapiro and Sterling Roop.
Note: Once the nomination process is completed in early September, the Biddeford Gazette will be providing comprehensive reporting on all of the candidates.
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be contacted by email: randy@randyseaver.com
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In a surprise move, Roch Angers — a former Biddeford city councilor and current member of the city’s planning board – told members of the city council Tuesday that he has serious concerns about the University of New England’s plans to construct a large pier on the Saco River.
“Something about this whole mess doesn’t feel right to me,” Angers told the council. “The way I see it, something seems fishy about this.”
The Biddeford Planning Board voted 3-2 on July 16 to give UNE preliminary site plan approval for their proposed pier, a project that has stirred considerable controversy in the community.
The Planning Board is scheduled to make a final vote on the project at their next meeting later tonight (August 6).
Angers is one of two planning board members who voted against the project during the board’s July 21 meeting.
Although the city council and mayor have no oversight or control over the Planning Board, Angers told the Gazette he thinks everyone should “be made aware of what is happening.”
Planning Board member Roch Angers told the Biddeford City Council that he has serious concerns about how the city has handled the review process of UNE’s controversial proposal to build a large pier on the Saco River(Seaver photo)
Angers addressed the council during the “public comment” portion of Tuesday’s council meeting. During this time, members of the public can address the council on any topic for up to three minutes.
Following his remarks, Angers said he was still feeling frustrated about the issue, especially after Mayor Marty Grohman told Angers that he had exceeded his three-minute limit for public comment.
“I couldn’t finish what I wanted to say,” he said while standing outside the council chambers.
Angers says he has no animosity toward the university, but does have “serious concerns” about how the application has been handled by the city.
“There are rules, laws and procedures we have to follow,” Angers said. “We can’t just pick and choose the ordinances or laws that we want to follow.”
Angers said he is going to make a motion during tonight’s planning board meeting to table further discussion of the university’s proposal until he “can get some answers.”
Specifically, Angers said he is troubled by a noticeable lack of public input during a complex review process that involved both state and federal agencies.
“Why was everything so quiet during their presentation to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers?” he asked, pointing out the fact that the federal agency did not hold any public hearings nor seek public input, despite the fact that university was able to secure a $3.5 million federal grant for the project from Senator Susan Collins.
We can’t just pick and choose the ordinances or laws that we want to follow.”
— Roch Angers
Angers said the Maine Department of Environmental Protection also gave its approval for the project without holding any public hearings, nor did they seek public input before making their decision.
During a previous interview with the Gazette, a UNE spokesperson said the university has followed all state, federal and local requirements when submitting their application.
“The University of New England has provided, and will continue to provide, all required and relevant documentation to the regulatory agencies and governmental bodies conducting the permitting process for our proposed research pier, said Sarah Delage, assistant vice president of communications.
During his commentary before the council, Angers also criticized former city manager James Bennett for removing both the city’s harbormaster and assistant harbor master from the review process of UNE’s application last year.
“Well, lo, and behold, he [Bennett] then appointed a railroad engineer with no local knowledge of the river to approve the plan,” Angers said.
Angers declined to speculate if he will be able to find support from his fellow planning board members to table the university’s application.
“I just did what I thought needed to be done,” Angers said. “The people of Biddeford need to know how the city is handling this affair.”
Angers said he was not able to complete his remarks, but offered a strong suggestion for Mayor Marty Grohman and members of the council.
“If this passes at the Planning Board, the mayor and city council should take a hard look at this project and ask themselves if they think everything is on the up and up,” Angers said. “All that matters to me is that we have transparency and a willingness to consider the impacts on mooring owners and other people in that area.”
“We’ll see how it goes tomorrow,” he said. “This is just my opinion.”
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be contacted by email: randy@randyseaver.com
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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
John Chisholm has been interested in sharks as long as he can remember. Growing up in Plymouth, Mass. in the 1970s, he spent a lot of time searching for great whites on his dad’s commercial fishing boat.
An adjunct scientist at the New England Aquarium’s Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life, Chisholm wasn’t the first in his family to take an interest in great white sharks. In 1921, Chisholm’s great-great grandfather caught white sharks on Prince Edward Island in mackerel nets while working as a lighthouse keeper.
Chisholm spent summers on Prince Edward Island as a kid and heard that story from his grandparents. Now, he says there’s scientific evidence, including fossil shark teeth, that white sharks have long been swimming in northern waters.
A great white shark swims off the coast of Cape Cod in 2021. Photo courtesy Kyle Oliveira.
“White sharks have always been here. They predate colonization by Europeans,” said Chisholm. “So it’s kind of frustrating when you see people saying they’re now moving into Canadian waters. They’ve always been in Canadian waters. They’ve always been in Maine waters.”
The presence of sharks are an indicator of an ecosystem’s good health, according to shark biologist Kyle Oliveira, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Maine and Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences. Between the late 1800s and mid 1900s, the white shark population took a hit due to overfishing, meaning there were less recorded sightings of white sharks along the East Coast.
Thanks to protection measures like the Shark Finning Prohibition Act of 2000 and Shark Conservation Act of 2010, which make it illegal to remove shark fins from sharks at sea and promote sustainable shark management, those who track white sharks are beginning to see the populations recover.
As with any predator, sharks will tend to go where the food is. That could be one factor driving the sightings reported in Casco Bay in July. Both Chisholm and Oliveira pointed to a high concentration of striped bass in the Gulf of Maine, which is a source of prey for sharks.
“Everybody thinks the sharks are here for seals,” Chisholm said. While catching a seal is a “metabolic windfall” full of the lipid-rich nutrients adult sharks need, the predators have plenty of other food sources, too. Juvenile and sub-adult sharks tend to feed on schools of fish, according to Oliveira, who said recent research has found younger sharks are often the ones visiting Maine.
When it comes to finding food, Oliveira said convenience is key. “White sharks are really lazy animals, and they try and get whatever meal is gonna be easiest for them to catch,” Oliveira said. One favorite is a floating whale carcass because it provides easy access for sharks to chomp off pieces of blubber, another source of lipids.
Independent of shark population numbers, technology may be another driver of reported white shark sightings. When Chisholm started tracking white sharks in the Atlantic in the late 1970s, he’d hear about sightings second or third hand. He’d spend weeks, months, or occasionally years tracking down witnesses to interview them about what they thought they saw, being careful not to ask leading questions that would sway the answers one way or another.
“White sharks are really lazy animals, and they try and get whatever meal is gonna be easiest for them to catch,”
— Kyle Oliveira
“In 1985 I might have only had three sightings for that year. That doesn’t mean there were only three white sharks. It just means I tracked down three people that saw them,” Chisholm said.
Nowadays, Chisholm opens up social media to track sightings across videos and photos posted to Instagram and X. Many of those sightings turn out to be basking sharks rather than white sharks, but the information contributes to data on multiple shark species and their behavior throughout New England.
Through his role at the New England Aquarium, Chisholm is also responsible for verifying shark sightings reported on the Sharktivity app. The app is a form of citizen science, allowing witnesses to contribute to a growing database that helps inform work done by researchers across the region.
As of July 31 this year, there have been 15 confirmed sightings of white sharks off of Maine’s coast, with one sighting reported as far north as Camden.
In addition to reporting shark sightings on the app, Chisholm recommended that those who spot a shark contact their local harbor masters with the location and time of the sighting.
Doing so can help spread awareness and reduce paranoia. One rule of thumb is to avoid swimming with the bait, Chisholm said. Beyond that, Oliveira encouraged beachgoers to remember that the ocean is home for sharks.
“It’s a sign of a healthy, productive ecosystem, so having white sharks around is a really good thing,” Oliveira said.
As the climate changes, researchers like Oliveira are working to understand how white sharks will be affected. Sea surface temperatures in the Gulf of Maine are warming faster than 99 percent of the global ocean as a result of climate change, yet sharks can regulate their internal body temperature and find suitable habitat in waters ranging from 37-89 degrees Fahrenheit.
What’s unclear, Oliveira said, is how lower levels of the food chain will fare under changing conditions. Impacts there could eventually work their way up to white sharks at the top.
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.
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ABOUT THE REPORTER: Julia Tilton is a freelance reporter covering climate and the environment, contributing to The Maine Monitor and The Daily Yonder. At the latter, she co-hosts the Keep it Rural podcast, a biweekly podcast that digs into the nuance of the latest science and politics news impacting rural America.
Julia previously worked on NASA’s Curious Universe podcast and her reporting has been featured in news outlets from Nashville to Mexico. She grew up in southern New Hampshire and is partial to the mountains and forests of the Northeast.
Roughly a dozen people gathered Tuesday at the McArthur Library in Biddeford to discuss local journalism and a rapidly changing media landscape.
The event was part of a statewide listening tour coordinated by The Maine Monitor, an online publication of the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting, and intended to collect public feedback about how people perceive and access local news.
The July 29 event in Biddeford was co-sponsored by Saco Bay News, an online digital news outlet founded by former Journal Tribune reporter Liz Gotthelf in 2020.
“We’re here tonight to listen to you,” said Micaela Schweitzer-Bluhm, executive director of the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting. “We want to know what matters to you when you access news about your community. How do you get your news, and what are the essential things you look for from local media?”
Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman and Saco Mayor Jodi MacPhail attended the workshop meeting.
Josh Keefe, a government accountability reporter with the Maine Monitor, shares highlights of a break-out group discussion about local journalism during Tuesday’s event at the McArthur Library. (Seaver photo)
“One of the things I hear all the time from my constituents is that they often don’t know about things happening in the city because they don’t know where to find the information,” MacPhail said.
During his remarks, Grohman touched upon a common theme that was shared by many of the attendees: a lack of a daily print newspaper.
“I’m constantly looking for credible news,” Grohman said. “With so many different things online, it can be difficult to find credible news.”
Those attending the meeting were largely over the age of 50 and many of them reported having a hard time getting news that is both locally relevant and comprehensive.
Susan Gold of Saco is a former reporter and editor who worked many years at the Journal Tribune, the former daily newspaper that served northern York County for more than a century.
“It’s great that local governments are doing more to share news about what is happening in the community, but we also need an unbiased person to explain what is actually happening, and we need to be able to trust the accuracy of those reports,” Gold said.
According to Schweitzer-Bluhm, rural communities across Maine are being hit especially hard by a changing media landscape that has seen newsrooms shrink and local coverage evaporate.
“The heyday of print journalism gave readers coverage of town government but also issues that bind the community, whether it’s high school sports, obituaries or public notices about meetings and events,” she explained.
In just the last decade, the Biddeford-Saco area has seen a seismic change in how local news is gathered and shared.
The Portland Press Herald once maintained a local bureau on Main Street in Biddeford that housed operations for reporters, photographers and editors who covered news and events throughout Northern York County.
In 2020, the Journal Tribune, an afternoon daily newspaper based in Biddeford, ceased publication. And the weekly Biddeford-Saco Courier, which was locally owned and operated, was sold to a media conglomerate and ceased print publication earlier this year.
Those changes have many residents wondering where to turn when it comes to finding credible and accurate local news.
Several people said social media sites such as Facebook are filling some of the void when it comes to news and information, but also said social media has many pitfalls, including questionable accuracy and fairness.
“You have people attempting to report news who have no editorial oversight or training,” one woman said.
Ted Sirois of Saco said he misses the opportunity to write letters to the editor and finds himself concerned about bias in news reporting.
Today the Biddeford Saco area is served by three digital news platforms. Saco Bay News is an independent online-only publication that covers the communities of Biddeford, Saco and Old Orchard Beach.
The Biddeford Gazette, started in January this year, is another independent, online-only publication that provides hyper-local coverage of Biddeford news and events.
The Courier is now delivered as an electronic, weekly newsletter that also covers Northern York County.
The Portland Press Herald, Maine’s largest daily newspaper, today rarely covers day-to-day, local news in the Biddeford-Saco area.
“It’s certainly not like the old days,” bemoaned former Biddeford City Councilor Patricia Boston. “I miss the days of print newspapers, but I do my best to follow news in both the Gazette and Saco Bay News. It’s important for people to know what is happening in their community.”
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be contacted by email: randy@randyseaver.com
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Biddeford voters could be asked to approve more than $47 million in municipal bonds to support ongoing sewer separation work and improvements to the city’s parks and recreational facilities.
During their July 15 meeting, city councilors discussed the prospect of an overall spending package intended to address items that would be much more costly if they were to be funded through the regular budget.
According to Acting City Manager Brian Phinney, the city will likely need to spend as much as $100 million over the next decade to continue state-mandated sewer separation projects.
(Photo courtesy of Associated Press)
The city is currently under a consent agreement with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.
The city could face significant state and federal penalties if it fails to fund those sewer projects, Phinney told the council. Potential penalties could run as high as $10,000 per day.
Phinney said that in the near term, the city will need approximately $40 million to address the most pressing sections of the overall sewer separation work that needs to be done, as outlined in the consent agreement with the state.
Several councilors said they are concerned that voters might reject the bond because of its hefty price tag.
“We’re in this situation because prior councils – if you go back decades – didn’t make those investments.”
— Liam LaFountain
One option that many councilors seemed to favor was to break the $40 million into four separate bond questions or the ability to stagger the withdrawal of bond funds from their designated accounts.
According to Councilor William Emhiser, the impact of a $40 million bond would be approximately $350 per year for the average homeowner, based on an average $382,000 home.
Mayor Marty Grohman pointed out that current interest rates are running between 5.5 and six percent.
“It’s not fun to spend money on these types of projects,” said Council President Liam LaFountain. “But we really don’t have a choice. We have to do these projects. It’s the responsible thing to do, and we’re in this situation because prior councils – if you go back decades – didn’t make those investments.”
Most councilors agreed that a voter education effort will be critical in order to get the bonds approved at the Nov. 4 municipal election.
In a later discussion, LaFountain raised the idea of another bond package to support long overdue improvements and upgrades to the city’s recreational facilities, including Mayfield Park, Clifford Park, Rotary Park, Shevenell Park and the J. Richard Martin Community Center.
“It may seem like a lot, and it is,” said Councilor Marc Lessard. “But people ask us for these things, whether it’s a new skatepark or a Splash Pad. Now it’s going to be up to the people to decide if they want to spend the money on these items.
Councilor Doris Ortiz said she liked the idea of doing recreation funding through a bond package.
“I think it’s a good idea because there never seems to be enough funding for these needed items when get to the annual budget process,” she said.
The council is expected to vote at its next meeting scheduled for August 5 on whether to send the bond requests to voters in November.
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be contacted by email: randy@randyseaver.com
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Although the Biddeford City Council recently approved the creation of more than 150 housing units, several people who watched the June 17 Biddeford City Council meeting said they were “stunned” by the raw emotion and frustration on display by councilors and others who attended the meeting.
The rather tense, marathon meeting lasted more than six hours, ending shortly after midnight on June 18.
The meeting included discussion of a planned affordable housing development near the Pearl Street parking garage; a mixed-use development of three phases planned for the other side of the garage; and a joint development agreement for the ongoing redevelopment of the Marble Block building on Main Street, where a street-level bowling alley is scheduled to open later this summer.
Absence of disclosure
Mayor Marty Grohman — who appeared quite frustrated at several points in the meeting — was able to cast the deciding vote on a number of key issues that favored the developers, including an investment group known as 3 Lincoln LLC, which is planning a large-scale, mixed-use development near the site of the former Maine Energy trash-to-energy incinerator on Pearl Street.
Councilor Roger Beaupre was out of town with an excused absence. During rigorous and often emotional discussion, the remaining eight city councilors found themselves evenly split (4-4) on several key votes regarding development projects.
Council rules allow the mayor to vote only to break a tie.
Mayor Grohman received campaign donations from the same developers who appeared before the council for approval of their projects, according to campaign finance reports
During his votes, Grohman did not provide any disclosure or a brief statement regarding contributions made to his 2023 mayoral campaign by many of the very same developers who appeared that evening before the council.
According to campaign finance reports, Jim Brady one of the developers tied to the 3 Lincoln, LLC project, donated $100 to Grohman’s first bid to become mayor.
Although Grohman received several other donations—many of which were of greater amounts, the second round of required campaign finance reports showed that he also received contributions from others directly tied to the 3 Lincoln, LLC project, including Brian Eng of Portland ($191.70) and Marieke Thormann ($100.)
“It’s a reported donation, and it didn’t influence my vote one way or the other,” Grohman told the Gazette during a follow-up interview. “It has absolutely no relation to anything.”
In fact, Grohman said he was proud of the meeting’s outcomes, saying he is “excited” about the prospect of new development near the city’s core.
“The city doesn’t build anything, we simply till the soil,” the mayor said. “I do support all the efforts to make the pathway clearer and more consistent for future projects.”
Grohman pointed to the condominiums being proposed by 3 Lincoln, LLC as a coup for the city of Biddeford. The starting price for those condominiums with a river view will be $280,000, according to the developers.
“We pulled off a hell of a project,” Grohman said. “Where in southern Maine can you buy a brand-new home with a river view for $280,000?”
“The city doesn’t build anything, we simply till the soil.”
— Mayor Marty Grohman
Grohman told the Gazette that it’s critical for the city to address the need for workforce housing to meet the region’s employment needs, including teachers, nurses and police officers.
Concerns raised, frustrations vented
Several councilors – including those who voted in support of the developers’ positions – also complained about a council process that is often chaotic, pressure-driven and last minute.
“I don’t want to ever have a meeting like this again,”
–– Councilor Dylan Doughty
Councilor Dylan Doughty – a former Planning Board member – expressed frustration about an ongoing pattern of last-minute maneuvering presented to the council as crucial, time-sensitive matters that need immediate approval.
“We don’t really have a strategy to develop affordable housing,” Doughty said. “What we’re doing is piecemeal, and we are effectively knee-capping other potential developers.”
Doughty ultimately supported many of the proposals that came before the council during the meeting, but said his patience was at an end.
“I don’t want to ever have a meeting like this again,” Doughty said from the council dais. “Many times, we are getting information only hours before the meeting. I find this approach and the delay of information to be demeaning, patronizing and incredibly insulting.”
At-large councilor Doris Ortiz, however, said she empathized with developers such as Westbrook Development Corp., a non-profit organization that wants to build as many as 80 units of affordable housing for those over the age of 55.
“This makes me ridiculously uncomfortable, This is not a good look for the city.”
— City Council President Liam LaFountain
She also praised Fathom Development, the company behind the 3 Lincoln, LLC project.
“They (Fathom) have been very gracious and accommodating,” Ortiz said, pointing to the fact that Fathom was willing to make changes to the plan and working closely, in-tandem, with Westbrook Development on the construction of affordable housing units.
“We have an incredible opportunity tonight,” Ortiz said. “And they (Fathom) are taking all the hits.”
Council President Liam LaFountain offered a sometimes scathing and emotional critique of several items that came before the council, most notably the plans for a mixed-use commercial development that would also include market-rate condominiums that would sell for an average of $450,000.
Taxpayers are still paying off a $6.5 million bond that was used to purchase the former MERC site. The city will continue making $350,000 annual payments for the property, despite selling the parcel to developers for one dollar.
Taxpayers are still paying off a $6.5 million bond that was used to purchase the former MERC site. The city will continue making $350,000 annual payments for the property, despite selling the parcel to developers for one dollar.
“I have always supported every credit-enhancement agreement for affordable housing because it is a good goal,” LaFountain said. “But we can’t be expected to do deals when they just don’t make sense.”
LaFountain pointed out that the city spent $6.5 million for the former MERC site in 2012. Today, city taxpayers are shelling out roughly $330,000 in annual debt service for that property, a payment arrangement that is scheduled to continue until 2033.
The city has now offered to sell that parcel of land to Westbrook Development for $1. LaFountain raised concerns about what could happen if the developers chose to walk away from the project. “Once we give up the land, it’s gone,” he said.
Later in the meeting, while seeking some detailed information from City Planner David Galbraith about a different proposal, LaFountain expressed shock and disbelief that Galbraith turned to the developers for the information.
“This makes me ridiculously uncomfortable,” LaFountain said. “This is not a good look for the city.”
Local real estate developer Mike Eon gave the council a visual reminder of why they need to be careful and deliberate in their review of complex projects.
Eon held up a large photo of the former MERC waste incinerator that occupied the lower end of Lincoln and Pearl streets for nearly three decades.
“This is the kind of stuff that happens when things get rushed through,” Eon said. “All kinds of promises were made. This time, let’s make sure we really do our homework.”
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be contacted by email: randy@randyseaver.com
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Mike Clukey was a regular customer at George’s Sandwich Shop on Franklin Street in Biddeford for several years.
In fact, he liked the sandwiches so much that he jumped at the opportunity to purchase the iconic Biddeford landmark a little more than three years ago.
“We have a fantastic crew, and they are the ones responsible for our success,” Clukey said.
When asked if an ongoing sewer upgrade project is hurting his business, Clukey, 56, shrugged his shoulders.
“It’s hard to tell,” he says. “It’s weird. There are a lot of things at play this year, from inflation to a lot of rainy weekends. Things have been up and down, but yes . . . people are talking about the traffic.”
First made in 1948 by the Ladakakos family, George’s Italian-style sandwiches have since achieved near legendary status in Biddeford and surrounding communities.
“When you think of Biddeford, there are really three businesses that stand out,” Clukey said. “Pizza By Alex, Reilly’s Bakery and George’s”
Clukey said he and his team are absolutely committed to carrying on the traditions that have made George’s a popular take-out destination for more than 70 years.
“John and Joan [Ladakakos] worked closely with us, training and teaching us about every little detail that makes a sandwich from George’s extra special,” he said..
Clukey said he uses the same vendors for all of his products, and still purchases his fresh bread from Botto’s Bakery in Portland.
“We strive every day to deliver the same quality sandwich that people have come to expect from George’s,” Clukey said.
But Clukey said there is much more to George’s than just delicious sandwiches. “We really work to be an active part of the community,” he said, pointing out how his businesses has work to raise funds for various non-profit organizations.
With seven employees, Clukey says it’s team effort to make it all work and said DoorDash delivery options have become the store’s “bread and butter.”
Still located in their original Franklin Street location, George’s is open Sundays, from 10am to 2pm; Mondays, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be contacted by email: randy@randyseaver.com
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Following a two-year period of tumultuous staffing turnovers at Biddeford City Hall, another department head has announced his resignation.
The Biddeford Gazette was able to confirm today that George Gervais– the city’s director of economic and community development — has resigned his position, a little less than 18 months after he was hired by the city.
Gervais was unavailable for comment as of press time. Acting city manager Brian Phinney said Gervais’ last day will be July 31. Phinney said he was not sure what prompted Gervais to offer his resignation.
George Gervais (LinkedIn)
Gervais previously worked at the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development beginning in 2008. Three years later, he was appointed by then Governor Paul LePage to become the department’s commissioner, a role he served until 2018.
Gervais was hired by the city of Biddeford on Jan. 16, 2024.
Former city manager James Bennett lauded Gervais as “the best possible candidate” to replace former director Greg Mitchell last year. “I don’t think we could have done much better,” Bennett wrote in a press release announcing the hiring of Gervais.
After being hired in 2024, Gervais described Biddeford as a “dynamic community that is making significant progress.”
Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman was unavailable for comment at press time.
Over the last three years, Biddeford has experienced a significant amount of turnover in several key departments, including the finance and planning departments.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this story contained a factual error, stating that Mr. Gervais was the commissioner of the Maine Department of Community and Economic Development from 2008- 2018. Although Gervais began working for the agency in 2008, he was not appointed as commissioner until 2011. We apologize for the error.
Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be contacted by email: randy@randyseaver.com
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Do you need a little magic in your life? Would you like to visit a magnificent waterfall close by?
Please join Saco Bay Trails for the fourth annual Fairy House Building Day at Cascade Falls in Saco.
This is a free, magical event designed for all ages.
(Contributed Photo)
You can build a fairy house out of natural materials along a woodland stream and create a fairy crown and fairy wand; have your face painted and give hair tinsel a try.
You can also chat with our visiting mermaids in the Fairy Meadow, and they just may let you try on a mermaid tail.
Be creative and paint a rock to add to the resident pet Ruby the Rock Snake. Explore the trail near the base of the waterfall and discover fairy secrets behind the hidden doors. It’s going to be a magical day.
This event takes place on Saturday, July 26, from 10 a.m. to 1p.m. Rain date is Sunday, July 27.
There will be plenty of parking, including parking for disabled persons, so dust off your fairy wings and enjoy a hike in your backyard.
Saco Bay Trails was incorporated as a non-profit in 1998, a subcommittee of the city of Saco’s Conservation Commission.
The all-volunteer organization is dedicated to maintaining recreational trails in the Saco Bay area with a vision of creating a permanent network of free, easily accessible, well maintained, well-marked trails that people with a broad range of abilities can enjoy.
In addition to the Fairy House Building Day, Saco Bay Trails also sponsors spring bird walks with a local naturalist and a winter lecture series with local guest speakers.
Please consider supporting our cause and/or volunteering your time. A few hours during a work party can make a huge impact. For more information, please visit sacobaytrails.org
Wendy Weiler serves on the Saco Bay Trails board of directors.
According to documents filed in York County Superior Court, the city of Biddeford is asking the Court to dismiss a complaint filed earlier this year by former city manager James Bennett.
In his lawsuit against the city, Bennett claims that he is entitled to more than $200,000 in wages and other compensation, as outlined in his employment contract with the city.
The city, however, is asking the Court to reject Bennett’s claim. The city said Bennett’s claim is not valid and further alleges that Bennett committed a breach of contract and a failure to comply with the contractual terms of his employment agreement.
In his brief to the Court, City Solicitor Harry B. Center argues that Bennett should not receive any further benefits, citing legal doctrine of “estoppel, laches, waiver and unclean hands,” which means the city is alleging that Bennett engaged in “misconduct or wrongdoing” related to his employment contract.
Bennett (center) toots his own horn explaining his resignation
Mayor Marty Grohman told the Biddeford Gazette Wednesday that he could not offer specifics about Bennett’s lawsuit or about why he was ousted from office in February, roughly two months prior to his announced resignation date of April 18.
“The city is committed to transparency but must also follow the applicable law in regard to employment and legal matters,” Grohman said. “We appreciate the public’s interest and will share more when we are able.”
The court documents obtained by the Gazette do not offer any specifics about why Bennett was removed from office or any details about his alleged “misconduct.”
Grohman said the city complied with all of its contractual obligations to the former city manager through the last date of his employment, April 18, 2025.
In his initial complaint to the Court filed on May 9, Bennett says he fulfilled all his contractual obligations to the city, thus arguing that he is entitled to several benefits that are spelled out in his employment contract.
Bennett claims that he is entitled to one full year of base compensation ($170,000). He also says that he is entitled to seven weeks of vacation pay ($22,848); 12 months-worth of reimbursements for his cell phone and internet ($4,200) and 12 months of mileage reimbursements ($8, 224).
As part of his employment contract, Bennett stipulates that the city is prohibited from publicly saying “anything negative” about him or his performance.
According to an addendum to Bennett’s employment contract:
“The city will limit references to James A. Bennett’s desire to retire, and the extended notice was in no way related to performance issues or any other issues.”
“Any public comments by the city and its agents and representatives will be limited to the positive contributions made by James A. Bennett and to the leadership he has provided to the city during his tenure.”
See below to view/download PDF of Bennett’s amended employment contract:
In fact, Bennett has filed a civil complaint against the city in York County Superior Court.
During a public review of the city’s long overdue FY ’23 audit, accountants from Runyon, Kersteen and Ouellette (RKO) told the mayor and city council last week that they found “several serious deficiencies” in how the city handled its finances over the past two years.
Sarah Dodge – an accountant at RKO – told the council that her firm found an absence of cash reconciliations and what appeared to be mismanagement of federal grant money that was awarded to the city.
Former Biddeford City Manager James Bennett (File Photo)
Although Dodge stressed that RKO found no evidence of fraudulent activity at City Hall, new questions are now being raised about Bennett’s performance and responsibilities.
“How can a city, run by a professional city manager, lack basic financial controls for critical financial management including an absence of cash reconciliation?” asked Biddeford resident Kathy Russell.
Russell was a city council candidate in 2017, and she says the auditor’s report should be a “wake-up call” for Mayor Marty Grohman and members of the city council.
“The taxpayers were providing Mr. Bennett with a very nice salary and benefits,” Russell said. “We expected that he would be responsible and transparent.”
After learning of the auditor’s report, Russell and many other residents are now asking why Bennett was abruptly removed from office nearly two months before his planned resignation date.
“We expected that he (Bennett) would be responsible and transparent.”
— Kathy Russell
Bennett – hired by the city in 2015 – was facing increasing public pressure on a number of fronts, most notably about rapid employee turnover, including seven finance directors in a five-year-period at City Hall.
Bennett publicly announced his resignation in October last year. He said that he would “retire” on April 18. Bennett, however, was ousted from City Hall on February 20.
“I sure hope that we are not still paying Bennett for the remainder of his contract,” said Mark Poirier, another Biddeford resident.
Poirier said he was especially concerned about the city’s deficient cash reconciliation processes.
“I want to know how long this has been going on,” Poirier said. “Taxpayers have a right to know what’s really happening at City Hall.”
Mayor Marty Grohman said he understands the inquiries about Bennett, but said he is legally prohibited from answering specific questions about the city manager because of state and federal laws regarding personnel issues.
“The city is committed to transparency but must also follow the applicable law in regard to employment and legal matters,” Grohman said. “We appreciate the public’s interest, and we’ll share more as we are able.”
Grohman, however, did confirm the Gazette’s inquiry about whether Bennett has filed a lawsuit against the city.
“This matter is now before the court, and we are confident in the city’s position,” Grohman said. “There are relevant filings in York County Superior Court that are part of the public record.” (Docket No. YORSC-CV-2025-98).
“The city has submitted both an answer and a counterclaim for declaratory judgment in response,” Grohman said.
Although Bennett was dismissed from his City Hall office in February, Grohman said the city continued paying Bennett’s salary until April 18, the date of his effective resignation.
Brian Phinney, the city’s chief operating officer, has been serving as acting city manager since Feb. 20. Truc Dever will take over as the city’s full-time manager on Aug. 11.
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be contacted by email: randy@randyseaver.com
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Matt Lewis sees nothing but potential in the Biddeford-Saco area.
Lewis, 58, was hired in May as the new executive director of the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Lewis moved to Maine from the San Francisco area a little more than two years ago. California, he said, is still struggling from the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I had visited Maine many times as a leisure traveler,” he said. “I love it here, so when I saw a job opportunity pop up, I didn’t hesitate.”
That job opportunity was serving as the executive director of Hospitality Maine, a non-profit organization that represents the interests of the hospitality industry, including lodging establishments and restaurants.
Lewis bought a home in Saco and is now working to immerse himself in the community. “People are very friendly here,” he said. “It feels very welcoming.”
When asked about his priorities for the Chamber, Lewis said that continually increasing the visibility of the Chamber is very important.
“I’m always going to be looking for opportunities to partner with others.”
— Matt Lewis
“We want to continue building trust,” he said. “Obviously, we are always looking for ways to increase our membership, but I think it’s equally important to support our existing members.”
The Chamber is not the only organization with a mission to boost local businesses. The Heart of Biddeford and Saco Main Street have overlapping goals with the Chamber. Lewis describes that as a wonderful opportunity for a team approach and collaboration.
“I’m always going to be looking for opportunities to partner with others,” Lewis said.
Both the Heart of Biddeford and Saco Main Street have a downtown focus. The Chamber, Lewis says, has a much wider area to cover, including the cities’ industrial and business parks.
“We have members in Waterboro, Kennebunk and Old Orchard Beach,” Lewis said.
Lewis describes life in southern Maine as “interesting.”
“I get phone calls here that I never expected,” he said. “People here really do value the Chambers. I recently got a call from someone asking me for information about the pet cemetery in Saco.”
Lewis says he has a sales and marketing background. In just the last few weeks he has already “signed up several new members.”
Lewis said he could not be happier with his new job.
“We have a great board of directors,” he said. “I also feel supported by local leaders including the mayors of Biddeford and Saco. We all share the same goals.”
Lewis said he sometimes wonders if residents realize just how lucky they are to live in the Biddeford-Saco area.
“This community has so many positive things going for it,” he said, pointing to beaches, easy access to I-95, thriving business parks and a downtown that is being revitalized and transformed.
“There is so much potential here,” Lewis said. “I’m not suggesting that we don’t have challenges, but we have a solid foundation to build on here.”
Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be contacted by email: randy@randyseaver.com
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According to a press release, both the Maine House of Representatives and Senate voted unanimously last week to approve a housing bill that was introduced by Speaker Ryan Fecteau (D-Biddeford).
The bill, LD 1829, is intended to make it easier to build new housing units by amending zoning requirements and providing clarity for municipalities, developers and others.
“Too often, the creation of new housing units is hampered by onerous and overly complex rules that make it too expensive, or too frustrating, for homeowners to build,” Fecteau said. “This law will cut red tape, remove government roadblocks, and empower everyday Maine people to build housing for their own families and neighbors.”
According to Fecteau, LD 1829 will reduce minimum lot sizes to no more than 5,000 square feet in designated growth areas and remove owner occupancy requirements for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to unlock financing for construction.
Fecteau said LD 1829 will “streamline municipal review for smaller housing developments; create a one-story height bonus for qualified affordable housing and require training for municipal planning board members within 180 days of their appointment.
“This is a significant step toward addressing Maine’s housing shortage.”
__ Sen. Rick Bennett (R-Oxford)
“Building any type of housing in Maine is extremely difficult and expensive. These costs and our home shortage are not isolated to one town or region. It is structural, systemic, and statewide,” said Laura Mitchell, executive director of the Maine Affordable Housing Coalition.
“LD 1829 sets us on a better path,” Mitchell added. “Maine communities will always be able to shape their futures, but with the understanding that solving our shared housing challenge requires consistency and commitment at all levels of government.”
“This a significant step toward addressing Maine’s housing shortage,” said State Sen. Rick Bennett (R-Oxford).
Bennett said the legislation “respects local communities and strengthens individual property rights.”
“This law cuts through outdated and overly restrictive regulations that have limited the ability of Mainers to make reasonable use of their own land,” Bennett added.
“I’m proud to have supported this bipartisan legislation that will help more Maine people secure housing they can afford.”
The bill will now go to Gov. Janet Mills for her signature and final approval.
Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be contacted by email: randy@randyseaver.com
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Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman and members of the Biddeford City Council received a blistering report Tuesday from the city’s independent financial auditor, Runyon, Kersteen and Ouellette (RKO).
Although Tuesday’s audit presentation focused on the FY 2023 audit — overdue for more than two years — it also painted a troubling picture about how the city’s finances have been handled during the last two years.
Sarah Dodge – an accountant at RKO – told the council that she found “several serious deficiencies” in how the city handled its finances, including an absence of cash reconciliations and mismanagement of federal grant money that was awarded to the city.
Dodge stressed that RKO found no evidence of fraudulent activity at City Hall.
Still, it was clear to those in the audience that many members of the council seemed troubled by the presentation.
Dodge made several recommendations to the council, saying the city should hire a grant manager.
In an interview with the Biddeford Gazette, Grohman said he knows that residents are frustrated by the continued news of financial management issues at the City Hall.
Grohman said that he and the council are also frustrated about the situation, but are also “fully committed to turning things around.”
“Completing the FY23 audit is an important milestone, and it shows that the investments we’ve made in stronger oversight are starting to pay off,” Grohman said. “Presenting the audit to the public in a full council meeting is part of the open book approach we are committed to.”
“What we’re facing is a need for better systems, tighter controls, and more timely reporting—and we’re making those changes,” Grohman added.
“What RKO presented this week confirmed the depth and duration of the city’s breakdown in basic financial oversight.”
— Council President Liam LaFountain
Grohman said that the city has already implemented a new sewer billing program, and that payroll software upgrades are next. “All of these steps will bring more accuracy and predictability for both residents and employees,” he said.
Grohman also pointed out that the city’s “rainy day fund,” known as the “Fund Balance” remains healthy and strong.
“This turnaround won’t happen overnight, but it is happening,” Grohman said, pointing out that Gerry Matherne, the city’s new finance director, has been making tremendous progress in getting the city’s financial controls back on track.
City Council President Liam LaFountain chairs the city’s Finance Committee.
LaFountain agrees with Grohman, saying the city is working hard to address financial deficiencies.
“There is absolutely no excuse for what Biddeford’s FY23 audit report revealed,” LaFountain said. “What RKO presented this week confirmed the depth and duration of the city’s breakdown in basic financial oversight.”
LaFountain said the absence of timely reconciliations, delays in reporting, and failure to manage cash controls and grant compliance should never occur in any city, let alone persist across multiple fiscal years.
“The point is that it happened, and Biddeford residents and taxpayers deserve direct acknowledgment of that,” LaFountain said. “There is no sugarcoating it. The audit report is an embarrassing document, but it also serves as a valuable tool. It gives the city a roadmap. It shows us clearly what went wrong and what must be fixed.”
“Responsible public stewardship is not optional,” LaFountain added. “Without it, the risk of further financial damage is real.”
RKO’s entire summary report to the council can be viewed or downloaded below:
Today (Thursday, June 19) is the first day of the 42nd annual La Kermesse Festival.
But the volunteers who make the annual festival possible have been working hard behind the scenes for the last 11 months in order to make this year’s celebration even more festive.
Although the festival celebrates the region’s Franco-American culture and heritage, there is lots to do, eat and see underneath the big tents and throughout the carnival fairway on St. Louis Field — no matter your own ancestry.
Volunteers ride a float during a previous La Kermesse parade (La Kermesse photo)
“It’s really an opportunity for the whole community to gather and celebrate all the things that make this such a great place to live,” said Abigail Worthing, the festival’s marketing director.
Worthing says that this year’s festival will include all the favorite things that people in the community look forward to each year, including a parade, live musical performances and a spectacular fireworks show on Saturday night.
Because of an ongoing sewer upgrade project in the city’s downtown area, this year’s La Kermesse Parade on Friday will proceed along a different route, beginning at Biddeford Middle School and continuing to West Street and onto the field entrance on Prospect Street.
The parade begins at 6 p.m.
This year, local brewery Banded Brewing will be operating out of the Main Tent, offering bar and food services for guests over the age of 21 to enjoy.
But don’t be fooled. There will also be tons of activities for families with children.
In fact, Worthing recalls growing up with La Kermesse dominating some of her favorite childhood memories.
“It was always a big deal for my family,” she smiled while reminiscing about not wanting to leave the field when she was a little girl.
“I know how much this festival meant to me and my family over the years,” Worthing said. “Now, I am so honored to be part of all the hard work that goes into making this festival happen, continuing a cherished tradition.”
This year’s festival will include a car show, plenty of live entertainment and the traditional fairway that offers carnival rides and everything from sausage sandwiches to fried dough.
Featured entertainment includes local band The O Harrows on Thursday evening, and the Studio Two Beatles Tribute on Friday evening from 8:30-11:00 p.m.
On Saturday night, The Inflatables will perform with a fireworks intermission.
In traditional La Kermesse fashion, Alex Silver, Roger Hurtubise and Julia Pouliot will be treating guests to traditional French music throughout the weekend, according to event organizers.
A traditional fireworks show will once again take center stage on Saturday night during this La Kermesse festival (Contributed photo: La Kermesse)
Worthing says that area dance schools will also offer performances, including an Irish dance review.
“It’s a lot of work, and it takes a lot of time, but it’s so worth it when you see it come together,” she said. “When you see the smiles on the kids’ faces.”
“I really want this to be a legacy, not just an event,” Worthing added.
Organizers are expecting good weather and look forward to crowds of 1,000 or more people. Attendance, Worthing said, has been resurging over the past decade.
BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 