There has been almost endless talk on local social media sites about recent traffic congestion in Biddeford and Saco.
The seven-month sewer upgrade project began in April and is expected to be completed in November. In the meantime, traffic sometimes becomes snarled near the cities’ downtown core.
That traffic and constant negative chatter on social media is taking a significant toll on several small, downtown businesses.
Linda Dobnikar and Anastasia Rizas, bartenders at Mulligan’s. say they have taken a “big hit” in tipped wages while their revenues have dropped by more than 40 percent during the last two months (Seaver Photo)
From restaurants to boutique stores, many merchants say they are seeing a drop of roughly 40 percent in revenues, compared to this same time last year.
“It’s really scary, especially for those of us who rely on tipped incomes,” said Linda Dobnikar, the night bartender at Mulligan’s on Lincoln Street.
Travis Kern, co-owner of Nibblesford– a gourmet cheese shop on Washington Street in Biddeford — says he’s trying to keep an open mind about the situation and is open to hearing suggestions from other merchants about creative ways to bring more customers downtown.
“It’s really frustrating,” Dobnikar said. “We had one regular customer from Old Orchard Beach who told us she won’t be coming back to Biddeford until this is all over.”
Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman says he is also feeling frustrated about the issue.
Grohman has begun weekly community meetings in his office at City Hall in order to “brainstorm” with merchants, residents and others to find creative solutions that might ease the burden.
This new initiative is aimed at helping support local businesses by raising public awareness about the many different businesses and services that are located in downtown Biddeford and Saco.
Each week, a new business profile will be added. We will be working with our social media partners to share these stories with as many people as possible.
If you are a local merchant or would like to nominate a business to be profiled, please contact us.
LaFayette was a French military officer and politician who volunteered his services to join the Continental Army, which was then being led by Gen. George Washington.
Gen. Marquis de LaFayette became an American hero when he was just 17 years oldand a volunteer in the Continental Army (Wikipedia image)
LaFayette was a teenager at the time, according to Rose Dionne, an archivist at the McArthur Library in Biddeford.
“Actually, there is a lot of evidence that showed that he and George Washington had a close relationship,” said Dionne. “We do know that LaFayette named his first son George, in honor of Washington.”
According to Dionne, LaFayette returned to the United States in 1825, almost 50 years after the end of the Revolutionary War.
Diane Cyr is the president of the Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center, and she is quite excited about some of the plans to commemorate the anniversary of LaFayette’s return to the United States.
Cyr said that she and others will have a booth set up during this year’s La Kermesse Festival at St. Louis Field.
Diane Cyr and Rose Dionne are planning a celebration to honor the legacy of Gen. Marquis de LaFayette’s return to Biddeford in 1825
But some other things are also planned to celebrate LaFayette and his commitment to the United States.
The library, the heritage center and the historical society are collaborating to host a historical event in front of the Main Street library on June 24. Some folks will be dressed in historical costumes, there will also be a historical presentation and snacks from that time period offered, including switchel (a vinegar-based beverage) and other foods sweetened with caraway spices.
When visiting Biddeford in 1825, LaFayette slept at Spring’s Tavern, which was owned by his friend Capt. Seth Spring. Today, that site is home of the Deering Lumber Company. Spring Island is now known as Saco Island.
LaFayette’s previous tour included all of the states that were part of the Union at that time. Today, the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is helping with the celebration.
Dionne pointed out that LaFayette was seriously injured during the Battle of Brandywine, which was fought on Sept. 11, 1777, giving the British control of Philadelphia.
“He really hated the British,” Cyr laughed. “And he became a legend throughout America. People were so excited about his return to the states.”
Lafayette was also a key figure in the French Revolution of 1789 and he continues to be celebrated as a hero in France.
The June 24 ceremony will include a performance by the Alumni Band. The festivities are scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. on the grounds of the McArthur Library.
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 City Council is expected Tuesday to confirm the appointment of Truc Dever as city manager.
Dever is being offered a two-year contract that can be renewed. She will be paid a base salary of $195,000 during her first year of employment and $200,00 during her second year.
Dever’s contract also includes a monthly automobile stipend of $700 per month but will not include mileage reimbursement. She will also accrue five weeks of vacation time each year and will enjoy all the other benefits now in place for the city’s non-union workers.
Biddeford City Manager Truc Dever
Dever will not be allowed to serve on the boards or be in the employ of organizations, which either “have a history of or are likely to come before the city, its boards or committees, for funding, permits, approvals or regulatory activities.”
According to the proposed contract, Dever will be expected to be on-call to the city 24 hours per day, seven days a week.
Dever is currently employed as the director of public works in Kirkland, Wash. She is expected to begin working in Biddeford on August 11.
For comparison purposes, former city manager James Bennett earned $170,000 per year as a base salary.
[UPDATE: An earlier version of this story reported that Dever will earn five days of vacation per year. She will accrue five weeks of vacation per year. It was a reporting error, and we apologize for the confusion.]
Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be contacted by email: randy@randyseaver.com
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A lot can happen in just a few days, and that’s especially true when you’re in the news business.
Over just the past few days, we added a new staff member to the Gazette team, got a huge compliment from one of Maine’s most respected journalists and stumbled across a significant story that is still in development.
Hint: I’ve got a funny feeling we have not heard the last from our former city manager, Jim Bennett
I am excited to announce that Gail Toussaint of Biddeford has decided to join our team as a much-needed copy editor.
Gail told us that she really enjoys reading the Biddeford Gazette but noticed occasional typos and grammatical errors. When you’re basically running a one-man operation on a deadline, little mistakes can be expected, but they are never acceptable.
Gail Toussaint joins the Gazette (Facebook photo)
We strive to give you a quality, trustworthy product that is accurate, relevant and timely (ART). Gail actually volunteered to help us meet that mission. I was blown away by her offer to help us without any type of compensation.
“I love what the Gazette is doing,” Gail told us. “I think it’s an important part of our community, and I’m happy to help.”
It’s important to note that Gail will not be able to edit all of our stories, so if you see a typo, blame us, not her. Actually, we really do encourage our readers to contact us if they spot an error, have a complaint or a suggestion about a possible story.
A huge compliment:
Who doesn’t like being recognized for their efforts? A few days ago, I received an email from A Jay Higgins, one of Maine’s best known and respected journalists.
For more than 40 years, AJ has worked as a reporter and editor at the Bangor Daily News, at the Portland Press Herald’s former parent company (Blethen) and most recently at Maine Public Radio before retiring.
“I admire your tenacity as you undertake this project,” Higgins wrote. “I just don’t get it. People really do want local news: the council meetings, the school board meetings, the sewer district meetings, baked bean suppers, school sports, Elks Lodge, births, deaths etc.
A Jay Higgins (photo: Maine Public Radio)
“But they apparently don’t want to pay for it. “Just a thought, keep up the good work.”
When you get a compliment from a colleague, it reminds you that your work is worth the effort.
That said, I would also like to thank all the others who pass along well wishes and compliments on an almost daily basis.
For example, last week I took my truck for an oil change at Jiffy Lube in Biddeford. The man working at the counter asked, “are you Randy Seaver?”
Cautiously, I affirmed his query. “Cool,” he responded. “I really like what you’re doing with the Gazette.”
And there are so many others, former city councilors, teachers and former classmates. I cherish all of it. Thank you so much for your continued support!
New city manager
A lot of people have asked me what I think about the woman who will likely become Biddeford’s next city manager. I have yet to meet Truc Dever in person, but I am feeling quite optimistic about her taking over the helm at City Hall.
Biddeford City Manager Truc Dever
In my opinion, she is well-qualified for the position — both on paper and hands-on experience. But the biggest thing she offers Biddeford is a fresh set of eyes and a breath of fresh air. She has no allegiances to anyone or any institution. She has not been influenced by Biddeford’s culture, history or the often-negative narrative about our community.
In short, I am looking forward to seeing what she can do to help Biddeford achieve all the success we deserve.
What’s on the horizon?
I have a lot of stories in development. So, stay tuned. We are also approaching our six-month anniversary, when Laura and I plan to make some significant decisions about the Gazette’s future.
Later today, you can expect to read my exclusive feature story about Gen. Marquis de Lafeyette and the celebration of his visit to Biddeford 200 years ago.
In the meantime, stay safe, have fun and enjoy your summer!
Remember what Shakespeare said: “Summer’s lease hath all too short a date.”
***’
On a more personal note, you may want to check out my recent blog post about my time as a student at the JFK School in Biddeford: Fear and Loathing in Biddeford
Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be contacted by email: randy@randyseaver.com
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It’s been a while since my last newsletter, but I am feeling good about the Biddeford Gazette’s trajectory and its future.
From time to time, I have to keep reminding myself that this publication is only four months old. We have come quite a way in just the last few weeks.
We also have some pretty big – and interesting – stories on the immediate horizon, but I am quite glad to be taking a bit of a breather during this holiday weekend. This last week, especially, has been a whirlwind.
Speaking of the holiday, I want to take this opportunity to thank all of the local volunteers, veterans, city officials and non-profit organizations who work so hard every year to pay a somber and meaningful tribute to all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.
Although the major sewer/road project is preventing a parade this weekend, there will be a very special ceremony held at Waterhouse Field, complete with marching bands and everything else you would see in a parade. As Marshall Archer – Commander of Biddeford AMVETS Post No. 1 – said, ‘It will be just like a parade without all the walking.”
You can find more information about this year’s ceremony by clicking this link
I am also quite proud of what the Gazette has been able to accomplish, and I really appreciate all the great feedback I have been receiving.
Unlike other media sites, we publish local obituaries from area funeral homes every Sunday at no charge to the families or the public. People seem to appreciate the service, and according to our analytical indicators it remains as one of the Gazette’s most popular features.
With the help of our social media partners, we have access to more than 35,000 people in the Biddeford-Saco area.
People also seem to enjoy our Community Voices page, where we feature things written and submitted to us from other people. Over the past few weeks, we have published stories from others about a project to preserve dune grass at local beaches, the accomplishments of Biddeford students. — including the undefeated Biddeford Middle School math teams — and the perspective of a volunteer at the Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Resource Center.
We plan to be expanding this section in the coming weeks, including coverage of legislative issues that are being shaped in Augusta.
A unique approach to sharing news
There is also one thing we do that is pretty unique in the competitive world of gathering and sharing news.
We actually highlight stories about Biddeford from other media sites. We use our social media page to share stories about Biddeford from other journalists and publications, including Saco Bay News, the Portland Press Herald, Maine Biz, Spectrum News, WGME-TV and WMTW-TV.
We help direct more traffic directly to their websites or social media pages.
Why do we do this? We do it for you so that you can have all of the latest news and information about Biddeford, all gathered and easy to find in one place.
To the best of my knowledge, no other news site does this.
Lots happening in Biddeford
As I said near the top, we have some pretty exciting news stories on the horizon, including the fact that Biddeford is close to hiring a new city manager and my suspicion is that we have yet to hear the last from former City Manager James Bennett who was ousted from his office in February.
Over the past several days, we have been averaging one new – and often exclusive – news story per day.
For example, this week we continued our ongoing coverage of a massive sewer/road project that will be continuing until November. (Please try to support downtown merchants. Many of them are hurting because people are avoiding the area)
I think that about covers it. As always, thank you for reading! And if you haven’t yet, please join hundreds of others and subscribe to our site. Also, please like and follow us on Facebook. Tell your friends and family, too!
Enjoy your weekend, and let’s all hope that we can enjoy a few sunny days this summer.
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 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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(From city personnel and previous stories by the Biddeford Gazette)
Biddeford city officials say that a new partnership between the city and the Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Resource Center is delivering “real results” in addressing homelessness, with 43 individuals successfully housed since November through a “coordinated, compassionate approach.”
At the core of this success is what Mayor Marty Grohman describes as a “Weekly Homeless Huddle,” where city and Seeds of Hope staff come together with outreach workers and service providers to identify and assist those most in need. This focused, whole person-centered effort has led directly to dozens of people moving into stable, permanent housing, according to a press release distributed Monday
“This is what progress looks like,” said Grohman. “Thanks to the dedicated team at Seeds of Hope and strong coordination across agencies, we are actively finding solutions to homelessness, one person at a time. All Biddeford residents deserve the opportunity for a safe and healthy existence indoors, and our partnerships are allowing us to make that a reality.”
The partnership model was launched in July 2024 after the closure of a major encampment near Mechanics Park on Water Street. That encampent was highly visible and located across the river from a new, upscale housing development in Saco.
This is a photo of a homeless encampment that was destroyed by the city last year (Seaver photo)
The Biddeford City Council authorized the creation of a temporary overnight center at Seeds of Hope to offer safety and stability. Through a generous grant award, MaineHousing provided additional support to the overnight center throughout the winter months, enabling daytime services on weekends. Connections with key service providers such as The Opportunity Alliance’s PATH program help neighbors access critical resources such as mental health and substance use treatment services.
Although the city was planning to use Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to renovate the Seeds of Hope, that funding mechanism hit a snafu earlier this year.
This significant increase in services available at Seeds of Hope since July has enabled staff to develop relationships with neighbors, a key factor for building trust and paving the way for long-term housing placements, according to the mayor’s office.
As more individuals are housed, the organization anticipates a decrease in the number of people needing services, marking a hopeful turning point for the community.
“We are finally seeing the kind of change that comes from sustained, collaborative commitment,” said Vassie Fowler, Executive Director of Seeds of Hope. “When we meet people with dignity and consistent support, housing becomes not just possible, but permanent.”
As spring arrives, we expect to serve fewer people—not because needs are going unmet, but because more and more people are into permanent housing.”
When we meet people with dignity and consistent support, housing becomes not just possible, but permanent.”
__ Vassie Fowler, executive director, Seeds of Hope
Spokespersons for the city and Seeds of Hope say that they remain committed to this partnership and to expanding opportunities for every resident to live with dignity and stability.
In late April, financial support from MaineHousing for extended weekend hours will conclude, though the City-supported overnight program will continue to operate. Seeds of Hope will build on the strong foundation of success already achieved by providing more focused and intensive coordination of services, and guiding individuals through housing, substance use disorder treatment and mental health resources. There is also on-the-street outreach planned to connect with unhoused neighbors who are not already seeking services.
But there are still funding challenges to provide these services for unhoused residents.
“The work we’ve done so far is just the beginning,” Grohman said. “We’re proving that when we work together with compassion and dedication, real change is possible. Biddeford is building a future where no one is left behind, and we’re going to keep pushing forward until everyone has a place to call home.”
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The acting director of Biddeford’s McArthur Library talks about a never-ending evolution of services and some of the challenges facing downtown libraries
Even to the casual observer, it becomes quickly evident that once you walk through the front door of Biddeford’s McArthur Library – – you are no longer in your father’s library.
Gone are the days of strident, middle-aged ladies admonishing you for the volume of your voice or the mounting late fees on your overdue books.
Today’s libraries have evolved and are working to keep pace with both technology and a changing community. Nowhere is that more evident than inside the McArthur Library.
Nicole Clark
Originally housed in the “City Building” (City Hall), a devastating fire in 1894 gutted the building and forced the library’s trustees to search for a ‘stand-alone’ location. The library is today housed in the former Pavilion Church on Main Street.
Over the years, the library has been expanded and renovated and continues to be a hub of activity for people of all ages in the downtown area.
Once again, the McArthur Library is facing another transition.
Earlier this year, long-time director Jeff Cabral accepted a position at another library in New Hampshire. While the library’s trustees are in the middle of a search for a new director, Nicole Clark – the Adult Services supervisor – has been serving as a temporary director.
Clark, 31, is a native of Kittery and attended the University of Maine Farmington where she earned a degree in teaching. She taught high school English for a little more than four years but says she became “burned out from teaching” and took a job in the Goodall Library in Sanford before making her way to Biddeford.
We caught up with Clark recently to ask her how the library is changing and adapting and about some of the challenges facing today’s board of trustees.
Why did you switch from teaching high school English and theater to working in a library?
“Teaching was a rewarding career, and I loved working with my students. The changes in education recently, and the expectations put on teachers and just the lack of support that teachers have; I just got burned out. I loved it, but I could tell that I was not myself.
“Working in a library was just a much better fit for me. I fell in love with it. You’re not teaching to a test or facing mounting standards and regulations. I always loved books and helping people. You get to connect people with things that they enjoy, whether it’s literature or a fun program or helping with a bit of research.”
Have you put your hat in the ring to become the library’s next director?
“It’s not something that I was originally considering at all. I like being a librarian, I like connecting with the public, I like the front-facing nature of it. Being a director is oftentimes more the big picture, the behind-the-scenes stuff: administrative tasks, dealing with the stakeholders, the politics and the budget.
“I feel a little back and forth about it because I think this library deserves someone who is passionate about those things. If for some reason, somebody doesn’t come forth who is passionate about all those things and serving the community . . . it just depends on what is best for the library. I would very happy, either way.”
What do you think are some things that the public should know about today’s library?
The library is one of the last places in the country where you can exist without the expectation of spending money
— Nicole Clark
“I love that question. In this day and age, the library is not just a repository for books anymore. The library has evolved. Yes, we still have many, many books that we love to connect our patrons with, but we also have a slew of programming for all ages. From author events to children’s story time that connects them with animals or music, to technology classes for seniors.
“This is a place where people come to socialize, to connect with other people; to learn something or to feel a sense of warmth and joy and not have to stress about having to spend money to get that.
“The library is one of the last places in the country where you can exist without the expectation of spending money. The reason we provide all of our services for free is to provide access. That’s one of the biggest things about the library.
“We want people to access information, entertainment; to access everything from WiFi connectivity to a social coffee hour for seniors so that there’s someone to chat with on a Thursday morning, and you don’t have to worry about spending money to do that.”
We all know that you can check out books from the library, but what are some of the other things you can check out for free?
“People may know about our expanding list of DVDs, but we also have a library of things – it’s a recreation collection. People can check out things like fishing poles or a croquet set if you have people over for a barbecue.
“People can check out things that they may not have the money to buy. For example, we check out a telescope so that kids who might be learning about the moon and the stars have access to the resources they need. That can be an expensive item that some parents may not be able to afford.
“We have snowshoes and sleds available in the winter, we have portable DVD players or even a Ukulele.
As libraries evolve, how are you keeping pace with instant, on-demand information resources such as Google or Wikipedia?
“You can ask Google anything, but you can’t necessarily be sure that the information is accurate, but a professional librarian can help you look at information sources that are trustworthy and cross-reference.
“On the other hand, we are embracing technology, providing people with a quiet space to do their own research. We offer free WiFi throughout the building, and we also provide free phone chargers and access to public computers.
“We provide free access to things like Ancestry.com without the paywall you would have to pay for at home.”
Recently, there has been some negative chatter on social media about unhoused persons ‘loitering’ at the library.
“A public library is a library for everybody. We are here to provide safe, warm, welcoming and equitable access for everyone, regardless of their socio-economic status, age or anything to do with their identity.
“We do have a significant population of people who are unhoused in the downtown area, and the library being one of the places where they are not expected to spend money, and where they can be warm, safe and charge their devices and take a break from some of their struggles.
“We are definitely an open-door to them and to those who are not going through that. The majority of our unhoused visitors are just lovely human beings. We love getting to know them and learning about the things that interest them.
“As with any population, there are some folks who have challenges and bring those challenges into the library. We do have a security officer who is just a wonderful human being. He gets to know just about everybody who comes into the library.
On the issue of unhoused people, the library has an upcoming event regarding the issues of homelessness in Maine.
“Yes, we’re looking forward to the free Biddeford screening of a documentary that showcases stories from Maine with a message that there is hope to ending the suffering of homelessness.
“After the film, we will be hosting a panel discussion with from local folks such as Jake Hammer from the city of Biddeford’s General Assistance office and Vassie Fowler from Seeds of Hope. That will be taking place on May 29th at 6 p.m.
You have a new program starting soon about downtown.
“Yes! The theme of our summer reading program this year is “Summer on Main Street.” We will be working with different businesses here downtown. Especially amidst the construction and detours to encourage foot traffic to all businesses downtown.
“We’ll be offering raffles, gift cards and lots of fun ways for people to connect with downtown and all the businesses here.”
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The city of Biddeford is launching a “Carry-in, Carry-out” pilot program at Rotary Park for the 2025 season.
When the new initiative begins this spring, Rotary Park will not have trash receptacles in any outdoor areas of the park and visitors are asked to bring home any of their trash, including pet waste, after spending time in the park.
According to a press release from the city, the new policy is intended to “remove unsightly trash from parks that wildlife can get into and make a mess,”
City officials say the new policy also discourages pests from the parks in picnic and play areas. “Wasps, bees and other rodents are naturally attracted to trash, which can create an unpleasant environment for visitors,” according to the press release.
Rotary Park is located on outer Main Street and includes recreational facilities, including a dog park and small boat launch area (City of Biddeford photo)
“We are excited to launch this new initiative in our community and hope to see both environmental and financial benefits from the change,” said Lisa Thompson, the city’s recreation director.
“It currently takes two city employees two to three days per week to empty all the trash cans that are located throughout the city,” Thomson said. “By reducing the number of city trash cans, our staff’s time and the cost savings from paying to dispose of garbage can be redirected to improve our parks in other ways.”
The pilot program will be assessed throughout the season, with a goal of extending it to all city parks and beaches in future years if the desired outcomes from the program are met.
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After nearly seven years at the helm, Jim LaBelle announced Thursday that he will be stepping down as executive director of the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce + Industry.
LaBelle, 60, said he plans to stay in place and help the Chamber with its transition to new leadership.
“It’s not an easy decision because I really enjoy what I am doing,” LaBelle said during a telephone interview. “I’m just at a point in my life where I want to take a step back and focus on my personal life and goals.”
Jim LaBelle/ Contributed photo
LaBelle said he is proud of his accomplishments at the Chamber, most notably a significant increase in membership, from the mid-300s to more than 460 members today.
“We have held more than 100 ribbon cuttings, and this community has experienced unprecedented economic growth,” LaBelle said. “I live in this community. I love this community, and I will be forever rooting for this community.”
LaBelle said he believes the Chamber needs to be continually evolving in order to better serve its members and the overall business community.
“The next leader will need to be visionary,” LaBelle said. “Hopefully someone a bit younger with fresh ideas to make sure that the Chamber remains relevant well into the future.”
LaBelle, known for his trademark optimism, admits that he has always been a glass-half-full person. “It’s easy to be optimistic in this community,” he said.
“He’s basically working all alone, and yet he’s always ready to dig in. Always looking for ways to help. It will not be easy to fill his shoes.”
— Mayor Marty Grohman
Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman had nothing but praise for LaBelle and his performance as the Chamber’s executive director.
“Jim has been truly incredible,” Grohman said. “He makes it look easy, but he has done so many positive things for the community.”
A few years ago, Grohman served on the Chamber’s board of directors and today the mayor is an ex-officio member of the Chamber.
“From behind the scenes, I can tell you that Jim is one of those people. He’s the guy with the enthusiasm and the optimism. He’s basically working all alone, and yet he’s always ready to dig in. Always looking for ways to help. It will not be easy to fill his shoes.”
LaBelle said running the Chamber has not always been easy, pointing to the Covid pandemic. “You know, the Chamber is all about bringing people together, and we had to figure out how to do that without actually getting together in person,” he laughed.
LaBelle also looked for ways to capitalize on technology, and the use of social media to promote the community. During his tenure, a Chamber employee created what would become one of the area’s most prolific Facebook community groups. Today, the Biddeford+Saco Community page is no longer managed by the Chamber but has more than 18,000 members.
But for all of its benefits, social media proved to have its own pitfalls, continually requiring more time to moderate and manage the online forum.
For his part, LaBelle said he is looking forward to having some more down time. He’s not exactly sure what his future will look like, but says a change of pace will allow him the opportunity to take stock of where he is and where he wants to be.
“I have been really lucky so far,” he said. “Now, I’m just looking at the future as a blank page, but there is no doubt that I am going to miss the opportunity I had while working here.”
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The city of Biddeford has denied the Biddeford Gazette’s request to release an internal email regarding the abrupt departure of former City Manager James Bennett on Feb. 20.
The Gazette subsequently learned that another internal email was shared among individual members of the Biddeford City Council regarding Bennett’s sudden departure. Under both the federal and state public access laws, the Biddeford Gazette asked for a copy of that second email.
Former City Manager James Bennett
Today, City Attorney Harry Center sent an email, denying the Gazette’s request based on state law that prohibits the city from public disclosure of personnel records. A copy of Center’s letter can be found below:
For the first time since Bennett left office, Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman released a public statement about the issue:
Grohman’s unedited remarks:
“As of February 20, 2025, City Manager James Bennett is on Paid Administrative Leave. This is a personnel matter and pursuant to state statute, Title 30A MRS Section 2702, personnel matters are designated as confidential.
At its March 4 meeting, the City Council passed an Order appointing Chief Operating Officer Brian Phinney as Acting City Manager. With over 20 years of leadership experience in Biddeford, Mr. Phinney is well-prepared to oversee city operations. Additionally, our Department Heads are strong, capable leaders who will ensure that city services continue to run smoothly.
The City and its elected officials are unable to comment further on City Manager Bennett’s leave as it is a personnel matter. However, I want to reassure our residents that the city remains in good hands, and we remain committed to delivering high-quality services and advancing key projects and priorities.
The City Council and I appreciate the community’s engagement and will continue to provide updates as appropriate.”
We learned yesterday that the weekly Biddeford-Saco-OOB Courier will no longer be printed and now accessible only in digital form, online.
This is just part of a global trend in the newspaper industry. Let’s face facts. The cost of printing and distribution are significant.
But while technology marches onward, there are still many painful consequences. Nearly 50 employees got layoff notices yesterday from the Courier’s parent company, the Maine Trust for Local News.
Regardless of how you feel about evolving technology, we are entering an era that is making human workers more irrelevant with each passing day.
It’s not just newspapers. There are no more phone books. No more encyclopedia salesmen. EZ Pass reduces the need for human toll booth workers. Self-checkout at the grocery store, shopping online and using ATM cards are all part of the equation.
For older people who may be a bit skittish about apps, streaming television and AI (artificial intelligence), many of these changes (advancements?) are uncomfortable, if not downright terrifying.
When my children were growing up, I often told them: “Your environment does not adapt to you. You must adapt to your environment.” It’s a matter of survival.
But this latest news about the Courier leaves me feeling a bit nostalgic and a bit sad.
I am personally connected to this story nine ways from Sunday.
Let’s backup for a second. For more than 50 years, newspapers have been part of my life, first as a paperboy for the York County Coast Star, the Journal Tribune and the Portland Press Herald.
I dreaded Sundays because the weight of those Maine Sunday Telegram issues were more than twice as thick as their daily counterparts and quite heavy. I had to break my route up on Sundays simply because I could not fit all of the papers into my over-the-shoulder sack.
Even as a young boy, I had a fascination with news and politics. In high school, I even landed a short gig as an intern in the Journal Tribune’s newsroom.
Over the years, I wrote for a few different publications, but it was the Courier where I made my mark.
Today, I own and operate an online-only “newspaper.”
I was lucky enough to work for the Courier back in the good ol’ days, when the paper was still locally owned and operated.
I very much doubt that the Courier’s current owners have even visited Biddeford, but still, they have the audacity to promote the paper by describing its coverage as “hyper-local.”
Ummm . . . not really hyper-local . . . . whatever that is supposed to mean.
It’s been a long time since I have seen a Courier reporter cover City Hall. I did not see a reporter from the Courier at this year’s Winterfest festival.
When Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman scheduled a community event to support the family of a fallen police officer, the Courier was not there to cover it, but did publish a story a few days later. Liz Gotthelf from Saco Bay News was there. I was there, representing the Biddeford Gazette but that was it for media coverage during the actual event.
Make no mistake. It’s not the reporter’s fault. It is a situation playing out in newsrooms all over the country, where ad revenue trumps news coverage.
I very much doubt that the Courier’s current owners have even visited Biddeford, but still, they have the audacity to promote the paper by describing its coverage as “hyper-local.”
I Want To Be Sedated
Sydney Richelieu is today the primary reporter for the Courier. Her editors expect her to cover six communities every single week. Think about that for a minute.
Richelieu is responsible for covering news in Biddeford, Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Arundel, Kennebunk and Kennebunkport. I don’t care who you are or how hard you work, that beat is a really big nut to crack.
Consider this. When I left the Courier in 2006, we had four full-time reporters (including me) covering the same geographic area.
Today, the Maine Trust for Local News expects one reporter to cover the same beat that was previously covered by four reporters. The Maine Trust for Local News has set Sydney up for failure even before she inherited the beat last year.
The folks at the Maine Trust for Local News love to bloviate about their dedication to “local journalism,” but maybe they should put some of their money into the newsroom, you know? Local journalism?
The Courier and the Portland Press Herald are both owned and operated by the same company, so don’t expect the state’s largest daily newspaper to step in and fill in the cracks. The way they see it, Biddeford and Saco are already covered.
Newspapers – including both tabs (tabloids) and broadsheets — are printed in four-page increments. In order to cover costs, roughly 60 percent of the newspaper needs to be covered by paid advertisements.
When I left the Courier, we were consistently publishing 44-page papers. Today, the Courier is merely a shadow of itself, hovering around 16 pages (not including advertising inserts).
I’ll close with some good news for the Courier. This move by their parent company removes their handcuffs of being published just once a week. Now they can more effectively compete with the other digital publications in this area, Saco Bay News and the Biddeford Gazette.
Being online allows journalists to be nimbler, to be in a better position to scoop some breaking news. Something that hasn’t happened at the Courier in a long time.
As a Biddeford resident who appreciates and values local news from a variety of sources, I hope that this recent transition returns the Courier to its rightful position as a competitive, local news source.
We’ll see.
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The Courier and many other newspapers throughout southern Maine, including daily and weekly publications, are owned by the Maine Trust for Local News.
Carolyn Fox, executive editor of the Maine Trust for Local News, said the decision was “difficult,” but pointed out that a dwindling number of people rely on printed publications as their primary news source.
“To sustain and grow impactful journalism in Maine, we have to meet our readers where they are,” Fox said. “Our digital expansion creates a stronger foundation for the Maine Trust, and we’re excited to build on that in partnership with the communities we serve.”
The move to a digital platform will result in 49 layoffs of employees who print and distribute the newspapers. Fox said her company is planning to add employees to its newsrooms later this year.
The Biddeford-Saco Courier — a free weekly publication — was created and launched by David and Carolyn Flood of Saco in 1989. The paper was distributed in residential neighborhoods and available on newstands.
The Floods — who now live in Delaware — sold the Courier and several of its sister publications to the publishers of the Journal Tribune in 2007. The daily Journal Tribune newspaper closed its doors in 2019.
Flood said he was surprised by the announcement but acknowledged the industry trend. “Personally, I think printed papers are easier to read,” Flood said.
Liz Gotthelf, the publisher of Saco Bay News — another online news source in the Biddeford-Saco area — said she was not surprised by the announcement.
“To sustain and grow impactful journalism in Maine, we have to meet our readers where they are,”
– Carolyn Fox, executive editor, Maine Trust for Local News
“I think publishing local news online is a way to reach a wider range of readers,” Gotthelf said. “By focusing on a digital platform, it makes things so much easier and less expensive. Also, there are not many places that have a printing press.”
Currently, the Courier’s online presence is connected to its parent company’s web site, which can only be accessed with a paid subscription. The Courier has always been a free publication, so it remains unclear if readers will be able to access the publication without a subscription.
Both Flood and Gotthelf say they will be closely watching the Courier’s transition.
People seeking local news and information in the Biddeford-Saco area will now have three online media outlets to choose from, including the Biddeford Gazette and Saco Bay News.
Laura Seaver, publisher of the Biddeford Gazette, said the announcement was expected for a long time. “This puts everyone on a level playing field,” she said.
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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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Bennett, well-known in several communities throughout Maine, capped off his nine-year stint in Biddeford under a cloud of mystery. Six days ago.
I understand why the city is keeping tight-lipped, but I cannot believe that I am the only reporter in southern Maine asking questions. Six days!
The rumors are swirling, and yet every other media outlet in southern Maine is either unwilling or unable to cover the story.
If I had not published my story, the people of Biddeford would have almost no way of knowing what is happening at City Hall. Six days! Really?
I get that I have an unfair advantage because I have been covering Biddeford longer than anyone else and have developed a healthy Rolodex of sources, but six days??
This is a disservice to the people of Biddeford. This community deserves better than just my reporting.
I understand, maybe it’s difficult or embarrassing for other media outlets to acknowledge that I have been running circles around them on a zero-dollar budget for the past two months while only wearing boxer shorts in my basement and often forgetting to put in my dentures . . . but come on! Six days!
No wonder local government officials think they can do whatever they want. No one is apparently watching.
Yesterday, there was a glimmer of hope. A reporter from the Portland Press Herald sent me an email, asking me if I would share my source of the e-mail that was sent to city workers last week. I declined but offered to point her in the right direction. Then? Silence.
Seriously? Six days?
Pathetic.
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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.
According to multiple sources, embattled Biddeford City Manager James Bennett will not be returning to work after his brief vacation this week.
Employees report receiving an email Thursday from Brian Phinney, the city’s chief operating officer, that Bennett will not be returning to his post to finish out the remainder of his employment term.
Former city manager James Bennett
Phinney, apparently, will now serve as acting manager while the council continues its search for a permanent replacement.
Facing increasing public pressure, Bennett announced his resignation last October. In a deal he worked out with the City Council, he was scheduled to leave his post in April.
Bennett, hired in 2015, was the city’s fourth professional manager.
We have reached out to Mayor Marty Grohman and Council President Liam LaFountain for additional comment.
This story will be updated.
UPDATE:
Here is a copy of an email sent from Brian Phinney, the city’s chief operations officer, to all Biddeford city employees at 3:37 p.m. today.
“Good afternoon,
On behalf of the Mayor and members of the City Council, I want to take a moment to update you on a leadership transition development.
As you know, the City Council has begun the process of selecting a new city manager, with a decision expected late spring or early summer. In the interim, the Mayor and City Council have elected to begin implementation of the transition plan.
As part of the transition I have been asked to serve as acting city manager to ensure continuity in daily operations. In accordance with this plan, Jim will be on leave from this point forward.
We have every confidence in your abilities and know we have a shared desire for a smooth transition. Thank you all for your continued dedication to the city and the community we serve. Your work remains vital, and we appreciate your continued dedication during this time of change.”
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____________________
ABOUT THE AUTHOR | Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He has been covering Biddeford news and politics for nearly three decades. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
Editor’s Note: This is the second installment of our three-part series regarding Biddeford’s housing crisis.
A panel of experts offered their perspectives and guidance regarding Biddeford’s housing crisis during a special city council workshop meeting earlier this week.
For more than two hours, the nine panelists each offered their professional insights and took questions from both councilors and members of the public Tuesday evening.
Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman described the workshop as a necessary “first step” for city officials who are trying to find innovative solutions for a problem that shows no signs of going away.
While Biddeford has seen recent success in attracting development of market-rate housing units, the city is still struggling with “affordable housing” options and a low inventory of single-family homes for young families, often described as “starter homes.”
“We have a beautiful, dynamic and growing city,” Grohman said as he kicked off the discussion. “We’re in our 12th straight year of enrollment growth in schools. It’s immensely positive that we’re growing, and seeing this type of pressure on housing, but it’s also immensely challenging.”
George Gervais, the city’s director of economic and community development, started the meeting by providing an overview of the city’s current housing status.
According to Gervais, the city today has 10,576 housing units. Of those units, 9,431 are occupied, according to data from the 2020 Census.
Gervais said rental units make up slightly more than 52 percent of the city’s occupied housing.
Average monthly rents in Biddeford range between $1,700 and $3,200, ranging from studio apartments to three-bedroom units, Gervais said.
The average home values in Biddeford have risen by roughly five percent during the last year. The average home value in the city is slightly more than $478,000.
One of the city’s biggest challenges, however, is that area wages are not keeping pace with increasing housing costs.
“We have quite a bit coming at Biddeford,” Gervais said outlining the horizon in which more than 2,100 units of housing are currently in some form of development. “That’s a pretty impressive number,” he added.
The new development numbers include projects that are either under construction, under review by permitting agencies or projects that are conceived but have not yet gone through the permitting process.
Gervais said 319 of those units are planned as affordable housing units in which rental costs are calculated by the area’s median income (AMI).
During an earlier interview, Grohman said the city council has set a goal of creating 180 units of affordable housing each year over the next five years.
What the experts say
The panelists were broken into three main groups, focused on affordable housing; market-rate housing and a housing finance development panel. The panel also included a presentation regarding state government housing resources from Benjamin Averill, Housing Opportunity Program coordinator for the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development.
“Today, Biddeford is the place to be. “It’s the cool place. That’s great but it also poses problems.”
–Guy Gagnon, Biddeford Housing Authority
Guy Gagnon, executive director of the Biddeford Housing Authority, said Biddeford has undergone some dramatic changes in the last 15 years, pointing out that he joined the quasi-governmental agency in 2010.
Gagnon, a Biddeford native, said he is especially troubled by the fact that so many kids who grew up in Biddeford can no longer afford to live here. “I see my friends’ kids and even my own children being forced to look elsewhere for housing,” Gagnon said.
“It used to be that Biddeford was the second, third, fourth or even fifth choice when people were looking for homes,” Gagnon said. “Today, however, Biddeford is the place to be. It’s the cool place. That’s great but it also poses problems.”
Gagnon said the city needs to be creative and willing to look at alternatives that include modular housing and mobile home parks.
“It may not be for everyone,” Gagnon said, “but it may be for some people. Biddeford should be the community that thinks outside of the box.”
Kevin Bunker of Developers Collaborative said the city needs to stay aware of what is happening at the Legislature, especially in regard to statewide housing policies and assistance for affordable housing development.
“Those resources are limited and the state is facing a challenging budget,” Bunker said. “You need to remember that they are also trying to keep up with a huge demand.”
John Laliberte, the CEO of Reveler Development, provided an overview of his company’s projects in Biddeford, including 73 apartments at Riverdam, Phases One and Two of The Levee project and the recently offered market-rate units at The Eddy on Barra Road.
“We have had a lot of success in Biddeford,” Laliberte said. “There is a big demand for this type of housing, but our main challenge remains being able to attract the private capital necessary to get these projects off the ground.”
A common theme throughout the evening was centered upon the need to make the development process more streamlined and efficient to reduce costs for both renters and buyers.
Although not members of the expert panel, local real estate developers Chico Potvin and Matt Chamberlain both spoke during the public comment period, detailing how hard it is to get a project from design to out of the gate development.
Potvin, 61, said he has been building “starter homes” in the Biddeford area since 1987.
He said the city’s shortage of available single-family homes is “forcing people into apartments and making it harder for people to find apartments. “It’s a vicious cycle,” he said.
Potvin said his biggest challenges include skyrocketing labor costs and a growing myriad of red tape that cause time delays and increases building costs.
“Every year, the regulations increase,” Potvin said, questioning why the council chose to fund needed city-wide sewer improvements on the backs of new homebuyers.
“Almost every day I get calls from friends and other people asking what I can do for them,” he said. “They don’t want to wait two years for a project to get approved. I feel bad. The city needs to buckle down and treat housing the same way as you treated land for industrial parks.”
Potvin also said he is nervous about all the high-end apartments being built in Biddeford. “It scares me,” he said. “I’m not sure if it’s sustainable.”
Cat Bates said he grew up in Kennebunk and moved to Biddeford almost five years ago. He said he would like to see the city do a better job in streamlining the approval process for Accessory Dwelling Units and said it should be easier to get bank financing for that type of development.
City Councilor Doris Ortiz previously chaired the council’s affordable housing task force, and said she would like to see the city be creative in its approach to creating housing, including co-ops and micro developments.
Hard to believe it’s been two weeks since our last newsletter. A big thank you to all of you who have decided to join us on this journey by subscribing and/or following and liking us on Facebook.
A quick review:
Things at the Biddeford Gazette have been moving quickly and there are exciting changes on the horizon, but let’s take a quick look back:
If housing is a concern of yours, the Biddeford City Council will host a special workshop meeting at City Hall on Tuesday, Feb. 11, beginning at 5:30 p.m. There will be an opportunity for public comment. You can choose to watch the meeting online. Click here for more info about that meeting
I have been doing this work off and on for decades. The hardest part of the job is interviewing people when they are grappling with crippling grief and loss.
My colleague Liz Gotthelf and I respectfully remained in a corner while we waited for Police Chief JoAnne Fisk to ask Sgt. Jacob Wolterbeek’s parents if they would be willing to speak with the media.
Even with their permission – and gratitude – it is still the hardest part of the job, and you want to do your very best to capture the story with precision, empathy and respect.
Many officers of the Biddeford Police Department are wearing wrist bands that honor the memory of Sgt. Jacob Wolterbeek (Seaver photo)
Community Feedback:
We have received some very good feedback, suggestions and guidance from the community. Not a day goes by when I don’t hear encouraging and supportive words from my neighbors, friends and others who care deeply about Biddeford.
One person suggested that we should change and darken the font on our site to make it more readable. Done. Another person suggested that we should add an events calendar to our site. We are working on that and hope to launch a dedicated page for community events by the end of the month.
Another person who I greatly respect, told me she is enjoying reading the Gazette but advised me to slow down a bit. She said I should consider taking a day off once in a while.
Another person suggested that we try to shorten some of our stories to make them more readable. I have now imposed a 750-word limit on myself.
However, the most popular part of the Biddeford Gazette is our weekly publishing of obituaries that are updated on our website daily. Unlike other publications, we provide this service at no charge to the families or funeral homes. We consider it a public service. With the combined resources of our social media partners, we have access to more than 35,000 readers.
It’s part of our mission, I explained. We are here to promote Biddeford news, regardless of where it comes from. We simply post a link to the other guys so that when you click on their stories, our Facebook page takes you directly to their site, not our site.
No other media outlet does that: promoting news stories from other media outlets. We do it to make it easier for you to stay on top of what’s happening from a wide variety of sources.
In just the last week, I have shared stories from Saco Bay News, the Biddeford-Saco Courier, WGME-TV and WMTW-TV. Make sure to like and follow the Biddeford Gazette on Facebook so that you stay completely up to date.
What’s ahead?
We have a lot of things in the works. After all, it’s been less than 30 days since we officially launched this site.
Don’t forget that Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. In addition to chocolates and greeting cards, maybe you could throw a little love our way by subscribing to our site, and following us on Facebook.
Enjoy Winterfest this weekend!
As always, thank you so much for reading!
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Editor’s Note: This is the first installment of a three-part series that examines Biddeford’s housing crisis.
A large conference table takes up the center of Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman’s second-floor office at City Hall. On that table is a large aerial photo of the city’s downtown area, where several new housing projects are either under construction or in development.
Grohman can’t help but to get excited when talking about the city’s potential for growth and prosperity, but he is also mindful of the struggles the city still faces in terms of increasing rental costs, home prices and the lack of affordable housing.
“It’s a big mix,” said Grohman during a recent interview with the Biddeford Gazette. “There are a lot of moving parts and they are all connected.”
All across Maine, cities and towns are struggling to keep pace with their community’s housing needs.
Mayor Marty Grohman points to several housing projects that are in development throughout the city’s downtown area.
“It’s not just Biddeford,” Grohman explains. “It’s virtually everywhere, and we – as elected leaders – have a responsibility to be part of the solution for this problem.”
In his search for creative solutions, Grohman is convening a special workshop meeting of the Biddeford City Council to address housing issues on Tuesday, Feb. 11.
At that workshop meeting, which will include an opportunity for public commentary, councilors and city officials will review the city’s goals and progress in meeting the various housing demands throughout the city.
For example, Grohman says the city council last year set a goal of creating 180 units of “affordable housing” each year over the next five years.
But even the term “affordable housing” creates confusion and resentment.
“A lot of this is subjective,” Grohman said. “What is affordable for one person may not be affordable for another person.”
In order to qualify for state and federal tax credits, affordable housing rental costs are based upon the region’s Area Median Income (AMI). The federal department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) uses a formula that calculates rental rates at 80 percent of AMI.
According to the most recent statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau, Biddeford’s median income is $63, 261 per household or $32,763 for an individual.
For comparison purposes, the AMI in Saco is $81,326 per household or $44,596 for an individual.
Both the federal and state government use AMI data (and other measurements, such as total assessed property values) to determine a community’s need for federal grants and school funding.
“Our housing problems also adversely impact people who already have stable housing,”
State Rep. Traci Gere
While some people say that Biddeford’s population growth is creating an unsustainable spike in demand for housing, data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows only modest gains in the city’s population over the last 10 years.
Today, the city of Biddeford is listed with a population of 22,367 people, the largest of any of York County’s 46 municipalities. In 2000, the city’s population was 20,942. In fact, Biddeford’s population has actually decreased by 0.5 percent in just the last two years.
Like other urban centers throughout Maine, Biddeford has a notable population of unhoused residents, a problem Grohman says the city is fighting every day.
But the city is also facing some other serious housing issues, including a lack of so-called “work-force” housing options.
“If you talk with any of our department heads, whether it’s the school superintendent, the police chief or the fire chief, they will all tell you how hard it is to hire and retain new employees,” Grohman says. “We’re not going to get new teachers or police officers in our community if those people cannot afford to live here. It’s a big problem.”
Members of Biddeford’s legislative delegation all agree with Grohman’s assessment that housing is a big part of a growing problem in attracting workers and private businesses to the city.
Local legislative delegation rolling up its sleeves to tackle housing
“There are so many facets that fit under the umbrella of housing issues,” said State Rep. Traci Gere during a previous interview with the Gazette. This issue runs the gamut, she said, pointing out that roughly eight percent of Maine homeowners occupy manufactured housing.
Gere and other local lawmakers are hoping the Legislature will be able to help cities and towns across the state in revising zoning standards and cutting bureaucratic red tape, a problem that many developers say drives up the cost of housing.
“Our housing problems also adversely impact people who already have stable housing,” Gere said. “If we want a sustainable local tax base — and relief for homeowners — we have to find a way to help businesses maintain a stable pool of employees. For example, a hospital cannot function without support personnel, such as custodians or clerical workers.”
House Speaker Ryan Fecteau of Biddeford is very familiar with housing issues. In addition to his legislative service, Fecteau is employed as a senior officer of policy and planning for Avesta Housing, a non-profit affordable housing developer that operates throughout New England.
“There is an appropriate role the state can play in these local discussions,” Fecteau said. “We can certainly work harder in bringing resources to the table and help our municipal partners without stepping on their toes.”
A recent report issued by the Maine State Housing Authority (MSHA), says the state agency was able to complete 775 affordable housing units in 2024, and that 1,005 units of affordable housing are now in the process of being built.
The agency also points out that the average production costs of building those units is finally beginning to level off following three straight years of rising production costs.
Other factors pointed out in the report’s executive summary is that interest rates have leveled off and that MaineHousing’s “First Home” program is now maintaining rates well below the market average to a rate to 5.375 percent prior to the end of 2024.
But there are still many challenges that lie ahead for Maine’s housing landscape.
Although some recent “leveling off,” in home prices has helped cool the market, rising home prices continue to be a primary concern for homeownership access, according to the MSHA’s report.
From 2020 to 2024, the median home price in Maine grew by more than 50 percent, far outpacing a 33.3 percent increase in wages and salaries of Maine workers during the same period.
Other things such as utility and heating costs play big factors in housing affordability. For example, heating fuel prices have recently stabilized after record high prices in 2022 and 2023. According to the MSHA, heating fuel costs have now been trending downward since April 2024.
Since 2018, the rental cost burden across the state has increased sharply for most households, especially for those with household incomes between $35,000 and $75,000 in total household income.
NEXT:Housing developers discuss their challenges and opportunities.
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BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 