The former St. Joseph’s Covent in Biddeford could soon become a new dormitory complex for students from the University of New England (UNE).
UNE purchased the property earlier this year. They are scheduled to present their plan before the Saco River Corridor Commission (SRCC) on Monday.
The St. Joseph’s convent in Biddeford could soon become a college dormitory. (Seaver photo)
The former convent is nestled less than 200-feet from a cove of the Saco River and is not visible from the road at 409 Pool Street.
The access road for the convent is located roughly 1-1/2 miles northwest of the university’s Biddeford campus.
UNE’s application has already drawn concerns from property abutters.
Carla Ouellette lives near the Pool Street property. She expressed concerns about the potential for a dramatic increase of noise and traffic if the property becomes housing for college students.
In her letter to the SRCC, Ouellette states that she has no animosity toward the university.
The view of the Saco River from the parking area of St. Joseph’s convent
“I am concerned that this project would have a significant negative impact on traffic safety, neighborhood quality of life, and the broader pattern of development within the Saco River Corridor,” Ouellette wrote.
“The Pool Street area already experiences heavy traffic, especially during commuting hours and when the university is in session.
“The use change and increased density at 409 Pool Street would likely increase vehicle congestion, create safety risks for pedestrians, cyclists, and school buses, and further strain a roadway system not designed to accommodate higher volumes.
“The resulting noise, traffic, and parking pressures would meaningfully alter the character of this quiet, residential and rural stretch of the corridor.”
In related news, Jim LaBelle has been appointed as a Biddeford member to the SRCC. LaBelle, the former executive director of the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce, recently lost his bid to become a city councilor representing Biddeford’s coastal neighborhoods.
LaBelle did not return our call as of press time.
Note:This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
c.) 2025 All Rights Reserved
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Biddeford City Clerk Robin Patterson said Thursday that the number of absentee ballots she received had already exceeded the number of absentee ballots that were cast two years ago, in the 2023 election.
As of Thursday (Oct. 30), more than 2,300 absentee ballots were casts, compared to a total of roughly 2,100 ballots in 2023.
Patterson told the Biddeford Gazette that slightly more than 15,000 people are registered voters in Biddeford. That number is likely to increase because of same-day voter registration.
A steady stream of voters kept ballot clerks busy Tuesday morning.
Several candidates were congregating near the entrance of Tiger Gymnasium, greeting voters on their way to the polls.
According to various reports, there was a long line of voters ready to cast their ballots as soon as the polls opened at 7 a.m.
Candidate Pat Boston was all smiles and said she would likely remain at the polls “all day.”
Although City Councilor Roger Beaupre and political newcomer David Kurtz will each be unopposed in their respective races, both men were greeting voters and chatting with other candidates.
This page will be updated throughout the day.
NOTE: For more information about the candidates or issues on this year’s ballot, click on this link
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
c.) 2025 All Rights Reserved
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All across Maine, people are scrambling to help those who may be facing increased food insecurity as a result of the federal government shutdown.
Typically, Maine’s SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits are distributed near the middle of the month. The program relies on federal funding.
According to state officials, nearly 170,000 people receive SNAP benefits in Maine.
Food pantry workers across the United States brace for impact from government shutdown. (Photo: Tri-State Community Food Bank)
In response to the looming crisis, state officials, community leaders, social service workers and volunteers are now scrambling to fill a potentially big hole if the government shutdown continues past Nov. 15.
“The concern is that local resources are already strained,” said Vassie Fowler, executive director of the Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Resource Center in Biddeford.
“Our government is dropping the ball,” Fowler said. “So, now we all have to ask ourselves what we can do that will be impactful.”
Fowler announced this week that her organization will be trying to fill the gap by hosting free community dinners on Saturday and Sunday nights over the next few weeks, beginning Nov. 8.
The sit-down dinners will be available to anyone who needs a meal.
“I would love to have it be a neighborhood event,” Fowler said. “It’s what this agency was built upon. We want everyone to feel welcome. No one should have to eat alone.”
Currently, Seeds of Hope offers an average of 35 dinners to those who visit or sleep at the warming center. Fowler said she expects that number to spike in mid-November.
Vassie Fowler, executive director, Seeds of Hope
“We cannot ignore this,” Fowler said. “We have to do something.”
Gov. Janet Mills announced Wednesday that $1.25 million will be provided to help fund Maine food pantries and anti-hunger programs.
Those funds consist of $1 million from the governor’s contingency account and $250,000 from the John T. Gorman Foundation, according to WMTW-TV.
The Good Shepherd Food Bank will receive $650,000 to support food pantries and anti-hunger initiatives throughout Maine.
Community rallies in support of the less fortunate
In the Biddeford-Saco area, scores of people are stepping forward to make sure that no one will go hungry.
Earlier this week, local school students launched their Spare Change Fills Plates campaign to raise money for local food pantries.
Others have flooded community social media sites to organize and motivate people to volunteer and donate to food pantries.
Isn’t this what we are supposed to do?
— Vassie Fowler
In fact, the Gazette learned Thursday that several Biddeford political candidates are working to organize a food drive on Election Day, asking voters to consider donating a non-perishable food item when they go to vote at Biddeford High School.
The Biddeford Food Pantry is also hoping that they will see an uptick in both donations and volunteers. The Biddeford Food Pantry serves residents in Biddeford and several neighboring towns.
During a previous interview with this reporter, Don Bisson, the pantry’s executive director, said his pantry served 2,558 adults; 1,295 children and 1,228 families in just one month.
Looking ahead
When the Maine Legislature reconvenes in January, State Sen. Henry Ingwersen (D-Biddeford) says he plans to submit legislation to “ensure that Maine’s nutrition incentive programs, like Harvest Bucks and SNAP, are not solely dependent upon federal match funding.”
“Among the worst impacts of the federal government shutdown is the impending loss of SNAP benefits for the entire month of November,” Ingwersen said.
State Sen. Henry Ingwersen
“When Washington is consumed by its own dysfunction and gridlock, we have to look out for our neighbors and ensure that Mainers can continue to feed Mainers,” he said.
“This bill would take a step toward protecting Mainers from going hungry when politicians play games,” Ingwersen said.
Ingwersen also drafted a bill (LD 468) to provide an additional $1.2 million per year to the Fund to Address Food Insecurity and Provide Nutritional Incentives.
As part of the budget negotiation process, $600,000 of on-going funding was included in the state’s two-year budget.
Ingwersen pointed out that nearly 1,300 Biddeford households will be impacted by the loss of SNAP benefits.
Strong community support is evident
Vassie Fowler says she has been “blown away” by the support her non-profit organization has been receiving since announcing the free weekend dinners.
“I expected it to be positive, but I never imagined the reaction to our plan would be this positive,” she said.
Although Seeds of Hope is already spread thin in both funding and volunteers, Fowler says she has confidence in her volunteers and supporters.
“Sometimes, you just have to take a leap of faith,” Fowler said. “Isn’t this what we’re supposed to do?
“When I see someone in need, there is no other choice for me.”
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Disclosure: Vassie Fowler serves on the Biddeford Gazette’s volunteer advisory board.
Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
c.) 2025 All Rights Reserved
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Campaign “endorsements” from the Biddeford Teachers Association (BTA) caused some confusion yesterday when two of Biddeford’s three mayoral candidates announced that they received the union’s endorsement.
The BTA endorsed both Mayor Marty Grohman and City Council President Liam LaFountain in their bids to become the city’s next mayor.
Councilor Norman Belanger – the third mayoral candidate – was not endorsed by the BTA. He was unavailable for comment at press time.
Beyond bragging rights, the endorsement from the Biddeford Teachers Association also opens up potential campaign funds from the statewide Maine Education Association Political Action Campaign (PAC) fund.
Marty GrohmanLiam LaFountain
According to an email the BTA sent to Grohman and LaFountain, they both earned the recommendation from the union’s Screening and Endorsement Committee.
The teachers’ union sent all candidates a questionnaire. The endorsements were based upon how the candidates answered those questions from the union.
Allison Pickering, vice president of the Biddeford Teachers Association, said the organization – “after great consideration” — decided to make a dual endorsement in the mayoral race, recommending two candidates for support by the union’s membership.
Pickering – a fifth-grade teacher at Biddeford Middle School — was not available for comment at press time, but according to the email she sent both Grohman and LaFountain, she described the two men as “preferred candidates.”
According to Pickering’s email, teachers in the city’s public schools are being asked to support Grohman and LaFountain, writing “we appreciate your commitment to the students and communities we serve.
“We thank you for taking the time to complete our candidate questionnaire and for sharing your views with us.
“We feel you will be a strong candidate dedicated to improving our local schools while listening and respecting the front-line educators who work with students every day,” she added.
Pickering told Grohman and LaFountain, that the BTA “will be working with staff at the Maine Education Association to make sure educators all over our city are aware of our support for your candidacy.”
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
c.) 2025 All Rights Reserved
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NOTE: This story was updated to include comments from city council candidate Abigail Woods.
As Election Day draws closer, Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman is endorsing at least two city council candidates.
Grohman today announced his endorsement of Brad Cote in the city’s Ward Seven race. Grohman also says he will be endorsing John McCurry in the Ward Two race over political newcomer Abigail Woods.
Brad CoteSam Pecor
Earlier today, Cote posted a brief video of himself on Instagram. Within minutes, the mayor – through his campaign page – offered an endorsement of Cote over Sam Pecor, the other Ward Seven candidate.
“Brad is experienced and level headed,” Grohman wrote. “He is the clear choice for this seat. Please join me in supporting Brad Cote for Ward 7!”
Cote told the Gazette that the mayor’s comment was unsolicited. “I’m not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing,” he laughed.
Pecor said he is not especially surprised that Grohman endorsed his opponent in the Ward Seven race, especially since the endorsement came less than 24 hours after he publicly criticized the mayor during a special public meeting on Thursday.
“I’m not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing”
— Candidate Brad Cote
Grohman said his endorsement of Cote was not related to Pecor’s public criticism on Thursday night.
When asked if he would be endorsing other city council races, Grohman said he is supporting John McCurry in the Ward Two race over Abigail Woods. Grohman also said he would like to see McCurry become the next council president.
John McCurryAbigail Woods
The mayor did not respond to our question about whether he will also make endorsements in the at-large race and in the Wards One, Four and Six races.
“Again, this is something that raises concern about the mayor’s ability to be impartial and transparent,” Pecor said. “You can’t say with a straight face that this is coincidence. It’s very hard to believe that my criticism of the mayor and his endorsement of my opponent today are unrelated.”
Ward Two candidate Abigail Woods said she was disappointed that Grohman endorsed her opponent, especially since she and the mayor both share a priority in meeting the needs of the unhoused and low-income renters, issues that Woods describes as her area of expertise.
“We are all neighbors,” Woods said. “Ideally we will work together no matter who is elected. His endorsement of only two individuals could make this challenging.”
McCurry said he was also surprised to learn that the mayor was his endorsing his campaign in Ward Two.
“I never asked for his endorsement,” McCurry said. “But if he is going to be offering endorsements, he should do them for all the races. There is nothing wrong with the mayor endorsing candidates, but he should not be picking and choosing only certain races.”
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
c.) 2025 All Rights Reserved
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Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman and members of the city council listened Thursday evening to several residents who raised concerns about how the city has handled its review of a controversial pier project that the University of New England wants to build on the Saco River.
Roughly 55 people attended Thursday’s special Citizens Grievance meeting, and more than a dozen of them took turns speaking at the podium about a wide array of concerns about the pier’s review process and its proposed location.
Although an appeal of the Biddeford Planning Board’s narrow approval will take place on November 13, the university’s plan has already been approved by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Saco River Commission.
Wade Goldthwait of Biddeford Pool tells the council that the city missed several opportunities for a better review process, (Seaver photo)
One of the most notable complaints of the evening came from several people who said the city’s harbormaster should have been part of the review process.
In the moments before the meeting started, Mayor Grohman was circulating copies of letters that were sent to Biddeford’s harbormaster by former city manager James Bennett last year.
“It’s important that people understand I had nothing to do with removing the harbormaster from the review process,” said Grohman who is hoping voters will give him another term in the Nov. 5 election.
Although Grohman did not personally tell the harbormaster to step down, he consistently said he supported Bennett’s decision.
“I think we have come a long way over the past few years,” Grohman said during that 2024 interview. “From where I sit, it appears to me that the university is more than willing to work with us. We all know that relationship has not always been smooth, but I am reasonably confident we can work together.”
Grohman was singing a much different tune on Thursday to a packed council chamber full of people upset about how the city has handled the review process. He nervously paced through the audience, handing out copies of Bennett’s letters and directives to Paul Lariviere, the city’s harbormaster.
University of New England Vice President Alan Thibault and the school’s senior attorney sat in the back row during the grievance meeting, quietly listening to some scathing citizen comments. They did not take notes.
After the meeting, Thibault declined an opportunity to comment about the meeting and the concerns raised.
Tensions and concerns run deep
The meeting was moderated by Craig Pendleton, a former commercial fisherman with deep ties to the community.
Although many residents expressed frustration about how the review process was handled, all the speakers spoke with civility and respect, following the basic guidelines that Pendleton laid out during his opening statement.
Wade Goldthwait, a highly respected resident and businessman in Biddeford Pool, said the harbormaster should have never been removed. “It’s too bad that it has come to this, it just breaks my heart.”
Carole Alexander, wife of the late Marshall Alexander, who was the city’s harbormaster for 37 years, said the current harbormaster was not “biased” against the university. “He was just doing his job,” she said. “Was he biased because he would not back down to an institution with deep pockets?
“The problem is not the pier,” she added. “The problem is its location.”
Steve Martin said the city’s charter is clear and that the harbormaster can only be removed by the city council, not the city manager. “This doesn’t sit right with me, and it doesn’t feel right.” he said.
“The problem is not the pier. The problem is its location.”
— Carole Alexander
Capt. Shawn Tibbetts, who has owned his mooring on the Saco River for 14 years, said he will be directly impacted by the proposed pier location. “At least seven mooring owners will be impacted by this thing,” he said. “We have been ignored and removed all local knowledge from the process.”
Tibbetts pointed out that Randy Desmaris, Biddeford’s assistant harbormaster, or Saco’s harbormaster could have been tapped to review the project if the city felt that Lariviere was biased.
Resident Ken Buechs said he felt as if the city’s Planning Board was “coached by the city attorney to arrive at a pre-determined location.”
Joe Emmons of Biddeford said the council needs to learn how “to avoid this situation in the future.”
“How does this pier actually benefit the citizens of Biddeford?” he added.
“Now that we know that there is a 250-foot buffer zone that was overlooked, how can the city issue a permit,” asked Gary McMullen.
Emma Bouthillette, a former university student, said she was dismayed that the university seems indifferent to environmental impacts as they continue a course of more development and an increasing campus.
“I have seen several projects just pushed through,” she said. “They have impacted wetlands and critical habitats. This pier is another attempt to get what they want without regard for the environment.”
The meeting lasted a little more than an hour and the audience applauded when the meeting was concluded.
“I think people were pleased to have an opportunity to share their thoughts and concerns in a constructive manner,” Pendleton said.
Councilor Roger Beaupre said he was impressed by the tone and process of the meeting. “I had no idea what to expect,” he said. “But I think it was well organized and presented.”
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
c.) 2025 All Rights Reserved
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The city of Biddeford is poised to hire Denise Clavette as its next director of Planning and Economic Development, a position that has been vacant since July.
If approved by the city council on Tuesday, Clavette will fill the void left by the sudden resignation of George Gervais who held the job for only 18 months.
Denise Clavette (Photo: Town of Gray)
According to her proposed employment contract, Clavette will be paid $125,000 per year as a salaried employee with four weeks of paid vacation time.
Clavette has worked in several Maine communities, including serving as Saco’s director of economic development for nearly four years, 2018-2022.
According to her resume, Clavette previously served as assistant city manager in Auburn; two years as economic development director for the town of South Berwick.
Clavette is today the economic development director for the Town of Gray, Maine, a position she started 11 months ago.
On her resume, Clavette describes herself as a “professional, ethical and innovative leader with excellent communication skills.”
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
c.) 2025 All Rights Reserved
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Roughly 40 Biddeford residents turned out Tuesday for a “town hall” style meeting in order to learn more and ask questions about two local bond questions that will appear on the November ballot.
Various city officials and department heads took turns presenting information and fielding questions from concerned residents during the hour-long meeting.
Biddeford residents listen to information about two local bond questions that will be on the ballot,
The Q&A session was followed by a guided tour of the J. Richard Martin Community Center, which houses the city’s recreation department.
Because the city is still behind on completing its FY ’24 and FY ’25 audits, some residents wondered if Biddeford will be able to qualify for a competitive interest rate on the bond repayments.
Both City Manager Truc Dever and Finance Director Gerry Matherne said they expect the overdue FY2024 audit to be done by December, ahead of when the city would be applying for bond approval.
Although the city can only estimate the expected rates, approval of both questions – upgrades to the city’s sewer system ($20 million) and funding repairs and upgrades at the city’s recreational facilities ($6 million) – will have a combined impact of about 37 cents on the mil rate.
The average Biddeford home would see a $147 property tax impact.
Public Works Director Jeff Demers said the city is making steady progress in complying with state-mandated sewer separation projects, but said a future project could pose significant impacts on downtown businesses.
“We have already completed what we call the low-hanging fruit,” Demers explained. “We’re going to do the very best we can possibly do, and we will be working closely with business owners.”
City Manager Truc Dever (right) explains the impact of the city’s ongoing efforts to meet state-mandates regarding sewer separation as Public Works Director Jeff Demers listens.
Recreation Director Lisa Thompson listed a number of repair and upgrade projects that are long overdue at several of the city’s recreational facilities, including the West Brook skating rink, St, Louis Field, Rotary Park, the Biddeford Ice arena and the now closed skate park on outer Main Street.
“The city has seen tremendous growth in the past year, and we want to ensure that we can meet the demands that the public wants and needs,” Thompson said.
City Councilor Marc Lessard stood up from his seat in the audience to make an impassioned plea for investments in the city’s recreational assets.
“We are a service center community,” Lessard said. “Our recreational facilities attract new investments and growth in our community. Unfortunately, when things get tight, recreation is usually the first thing to be cut.
“I am a huge supporter of our city’s recreational resources,” he continued. “We have delayed these projects long enough.
“The loss of our skatepark is the poster child of what happens when we put off critical investments,” Lessard added.
Not all residents said they would support the two bonds.
“We’re writing checks we can’t cash,” said Mike Bouthillette of Biddeford.
Bouthillette asked several pointed questions during the presentation, saying the city should be looking for other sources of revenue by selling unused properties and increasing user fees for recreational buildings.
NOTE: A previous version of this story contained incorrect information about the anticipated completion of the city’s FY 2024 audit. We apologize for the error.
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
c.) 2025 All Rights Reserved
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Many people get excited about this time of year. They order pumpkin everything, pick apples, decorate their yards with mums and fret about having the cleverest Halloween costume for themselves and their kids.
I get excited this time of year for an entirely different reason. I am a political junkie with a local focus, and every two years Biddeford voters choose who will represent them as mayor, on the city council and as members of the school committee.
Unlike the rather dull 2023 cycle two years ago, this year’s upcoming elections are bringing some heat to the game.
We have three mayoral candidates this year, and almost every ward race will feature two candidates, except Wards Three and Five.
The last time Biddeford had more than two people running for mayor was in 2013, when former mayor Joanne Twomey and former councilor Perry Aberle both tried to deny Alan Casavant a third, consecutive term.
And one of the most interesting mayoral races in Biddeford took place in 2003 when Gen. Wallace Nutting – a Republican and Saco native – upset the ballot with a decisive win over School Committee member Dan Boucher and City Councilor Marc Lessard.
Few people predicted that outcome, and I was not one of them. For the record, that race generated a whopping voter turnout of more than 67 percent of registered voters.
Typically, turnout during local elections rarely break the 45 percent mark.
Today’s political landscape in Biddeford
Voters will also be asked this year to decide the fate of two rather significant municipal bond issues; and whether to convene another Charter Review Commission.
In my opinion, there are at least three significant issues driving more candidates and voters to participate in this year’s election.
First, issues connected to former city manager James Bennett angered many people in the community on almost every front: how federal grant money was being used, excessive staff turnover at City Hall, questions about discrepancies in the Finance Department, a blistering report from the city’s auditors and the city’s inability to pay a private contractor for his services to the city.
Former City Manager James Bennett
And Bennett was also a central figure in the controversy surrounding the University of New England’s plan to construct a large pier on the Saco River. Bennett sidelined both the city’s harbormaster and deputy harbormaster during local review of the pier proposal.
The council finally removed Bennett from office but not before he left a shitty taste in a lot of mouths across the city. Bennett filed a lawsuit against the city.
City officials, in turn, are pointing to concerns about how Bennett used his office for his own gain.
Secondly, the UNE pier proposal raised local concerns on a number of fronts as opponents raised questions about possible conflicts of interest and a lack of transparency during the project’s review.
Members of the public voiced concerns and anger earlier this year about the University of New England’s controversial plan to construct a large pier on the Saco River (Seaver photo)
Finally, continuing property tax increases are always an issue in local elections. Over the last two years, the city has passed on increased spending budgets of nearly six percent per year.
Not surprisingly, several incumbent candidates are now raising concerns about property tax burdens, yet many of them actually approved increased spending over the last two years.
Politicians will be politicians.
How will the Biddeford Gazette cover all the election news?
Our in-depth election coverage will begin on October 1.
We are now in the process of collecting questionnaires that were sent to all city council candidates. We will use those surveys as the basis for upcoming stories about each of the contested ward races. We will also periodically examine each of the races and how they align with public concerns.
The contested ward races will be covered in a single story. For example, candidates Patricia Boston and Jim LaBelle from Ward One will be featured in the same story.
Likewise, the three at-large candidates will be introduced in one story, but we will also do follow-up stories on that race.
When it comes to the mayor’s race, we will publish three separate stories regarding each candidate during the first full week of October.
Profiles and interviews with Norman Belanger, Marty Grohman and Liam LaFountain will be published in alphabetical order on three consecutive days.
Obviously, we will be writing many other stories, especially about the mayoral candidates and their campaigns.
Upcoming mayoral debate
Finally, I am proud of the fact that I was able to organize at least one public debate among all three mayoral candidates. It took a lot or work to get this thing organized but I think it’s well worth the effort.
I am especially pleased that my colleagues from Saco Bay News, and the Biddeford-Saco Courier agreed to participate as panelists with me.
That debate will take place on Friday, October 10, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Biddeford High School’s Little Theater on Maplewood Avenue.
The debate will be streamed live and recorded for later viewing on social media sites.
While there will be no public comment during this event, we are hoping that most of the questions will come from the public in the form of written submissions before the debate.
Up until only a few years ago, the American Legion Post 26 in Biddeford was in danger of closing.
The former schoolhouse building on Route One – almost directly across from the new courthouse complex — was in serious disrepair with a leaky roof.
Other non-profit organizations, such as the American Red Cross, could no longer use the building for activities such as hosting blood drives or community meetings. The group’s membership of roughly 100 veterans was struggling for ideas about how to keep their club headquarters open.
Veterans Richard St.Onge and Ted Sirois stand near the trailer they use to collect redeemable bottles and cans to fund a number of activities at the American Legion Post 26 in Biddeford. Unfortunately, a few individuals — despite security cameras and warning signs — regularly steal some of the donated items (Seaver photo)
Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman – then a state legislator who was trying to help a couple of local veterans – came up with a winning idea.
Grohman donated a small garden trailer and suggested that the club should ask for donations of redeemable bottles and cans that could be dropped off in the trailer, parked near the side of the busy Route One corridor.
Grohman’s fundraising idea took off. Soon the veterans were collecting between two and three thousand dollars in donations each month.
They used that money to make long overdue repairs to their headquarters: a new roof, a new furnace and the parking lot was repaved.
But the community’s donations of bottles and cans didn’t just help local veterans. The funds kept alive a regular meeting place for the Girl Scouts and a function hall that is used by other community groups, including local wedding receptions, celebrations and non-profit activities.
But as the old saying goes, no good deed goes unpunished.
On a regular basis, a small handful of people help themselves to the bags of bottles and cans that were intended as donations for the non-profit veterans’ organization.
“It started happening frequently, so we moved the drop-off trailer a little closer to the building,” explained Ted Sirois, adjutant commander of Post 26. “We were stunned, a couple people just kept stealing bags and bottles. They were pretty brazen about it.”
Sirois said the group decided to install exterior surveillance cameras and posted warning signs on the trailer.
But the thefts continued and the bandits were rather brazen, seemingly unfazed by the cameras and warning signs.
“It was really quite unbelievable that the same people would keep stealing from us, over and over again,” said Post Commander Richard St. Onge.
Grohman also said he was discouraged about the ongoing thefts.
“These veterans do a lot of good things for our community, and they are always ready and willing to help others,” Grohman said. “All thefts are bad and unwarranted, but this really is a new low — to steal from people who risked their lives to serve our nation. Moreover, when you steal from these veterans, you’re stealing from the whole community.”
After reviewing some of the surveillance footage, the Biddeford Police Department conducted an informal sting operation.
“We sort of knew exactly who we were looking for, but we are also able to catch a couple of people red-handed,” said Biddeford Police Chief JoAnne Fisk. “It really is quite unbelievable how callous some of these individuals were, even after we caught them.”
“It was really quite unbelievable that the same people would keep stealing from us, over and over again,”
— Post Commander Richard St. Onge
Although police cannot be conducting surveillance 24 hours a day, Fisk said that anyone taking bottles and cans from the donation trailer will be summonsed and charged with theft and possible criminal trespass.
Meanwhile, St. Onge and Sirois say they much appreciate how the community has supported Post 26 with donations of bottles and cans.
“But that’s only half the battle,” Sirois explains. “Collecting and transporting those donations takes a real team effort, and we’re lucky to have some hard-working volunteers in our midst.”
In addition to serving as the local American Legion headquarters, the building also houses the local chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America.
Next week, the Red Cross will be conducting another community blood drive at the post.
“We’re always looking for ways to help the community,” Sirois says, pointing to a recently installed outdoor water spigot. “If some group wants to have a car wash, we can accommodate them right here, in our parking lot.”
The American Legion Post is alcohol free, making them a popular place for hosting family functions and youth activities.
“All we want to do is help people,” St. Onge says. “I can’t understand why anyone would think it’s okay to steal from the community.”
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email at randy@randyseaver.com
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You have probably seen the signs as you drive through the city of Biddeford, and unless you’re driving a big truck – you may not understand the impacts of a traffic ordinance that was revised by the city council four months ago.
With very little fanfare, the Biddeford City Council voted 7-1 (Lessard) on May 20th, to extend the prohibition of engine braking on a permanent basis, 24 hours per day.
The city’s engine braking ordinance was revised in May, but caught at least one resident off-guard (Seaver photo)
Engine braking is used to safely increase the stopping power of large trucks with less wear on their wheel brakes. Though engine braking can provide as much as 25 percent more stopping power, the process makes a loud noise.
Previously, operators of large trucks were allowed to use engine braking – also known as “the Jake Brake” – before 9 p.m. and after 6 a.m. because of the noise that is produced when a driver uses engine braking.
John Chretien is the second-generation owner of the family-owned Bob’s Garage in Biddeford, a hauling and trucking company founded by his father in 1961.
A large part of Chretien’s business involves hauling heavy equipment – such as excavators and plows — to and from job sites. The company has also worked as a city contractor for towing and snow removal.
Chretien says the ordinance change caught him completely off guard.
“I knew nothing about it until I got a call from the police chief a few days ago,” he said. “Everything was going fine, and then they [the city] decided to change the ordinance because of just a couple of complaints.
“I don’t understand why no one asked us – or someone else who does trucking – about the ordinance,” Chretien added. “This is a safety issue. What happens if an animal or a pedestrian darts out on the road? Large trucks cannot just stop on a dime.”
John Chretien of Biddeford says the city is sacrificing safety because of occasional nose (Seaver photo)
City Councilor Roger Beaupre is the chair of the city council’s Traffic Committee. He is also the city’s former chief of police, a position he held for 40 years.
Beaupre says he can understand Chretien’s frustration, but also says the ordinance change went through a very “thorough and transparent” public process.
“The [Traffic] Committee received several complaints about engine braking,” Beaupre said. “From there, the committee recommended revising the ordinance. To change an ordinance, the council has to hold two publicly advertised public meetings.”
Beaupre said the council does not have the resources to reach out to every person who may be impacted by a proposed change to the city’s ordinances.
“I can understand why he [Chretien] is frustrated,” Beaupre said. “But there is only so much we can do to make sure that people know what is happening at City Hall. This was a very public and transparent process.”
Chretien’s business is headquartered near the western end of Guinea Road, a quiet residential neighborhood with manicured lawns and single-family homes.
Chretien says he likely knows the “one person” who filed a complaint about his company.
Beaupre, however, says the Traffic Committee received several complaints, most of which came from the city’s downtown area and on the southern side of Elm Street (Route One) near the new courthouse building.
Chretien said he would have been happy to work with the city in revising the ordinance, including an agreement not to use engine braking when a truck is empty.
“I really don’t understand this,” Chretien said. “It seems like we’re willing to sacrifice increased safety because of occasional noise.”
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email at randy@randyseaver.com
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Something happened at last night’s Biddeford City Council meeting that should be a template for all of us.
In a time of seemingly unprecedented political tension on the national stage, two city councilors showed us all a valuable lesson about respect, collaboration and friendship – despite being almost polar opposites when it comes to political ideology.
Councilors Doris Ortiz and Marc Lessard are the city’s two at-large council members, and they about as different as you can get — but they both love Biddeford and that is what drives their friendship.
Councilor Doris Ortiz
Lessard has been a member of the council since the late 1990s. He is the longest serving council member.
Ortiz decided to run for council in 2019, saying she was inspired by my wife’s service on the council.
Like all new councilors, Ortiz recalled being nervous and feeling a little overwhelmed when she was sworn in and later attended her first meeting on the other side of the council dais.
Lessard was her seatmate on the council. He knew they would probably struggle to find consensus, but that didn’t matter. Lessard immediately took Ortiz under his wing. He coached her, advised her and reassured her that she was in the right place.
Councilor Marc Lessard
Though the city council is non-partisan, there is no denying that Ortiz and Lessard are fundamentally on different sides of the political spectrum.
That didn’t matter. They just worked together. They listened to one another and they even shared jokes and laughed together.
More than that, they often formed what was jokingly called an “unholy alliance.”
I have been watching their relationship for six years. There were times when you could almost see and feel the tension between them as they tackled a myriad of policy issues, from housing to budgets.
But they also found a lot of common ground; and they always acted with respect and civility.
Last night, Ortiz announced her resignation from the council because she is moving outside of the city.
It was an emotional announcement that encapsulated Ortiz’s philosophy and modus operandi: she was humble, authentic and grateful for the opportunity to serve.
At the end of her brief statement, it was Marc Lessard who was first on his feet to offer Ortiz a standing ovation. Everyone else in the council chamber quickly followed Lessard’s lead.
Lessard and Ortiz offered all of us a timely and relevant lesson.
No matter how discouraged we may feel about our nation’s political divisiveness, we can still choose to treat each other with civility and respect.
Godspeed, Councilor Ortiz. Thank you for your service and commitment to our city.
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email at randy@randyseaver.com
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Even as the University of New England begins construction of its controversial research pier, opponents of the project are ramping up their own efforts and raising new concerns about how the City of Biddeford handled its review of the project.
A group of Biddeford residents are now circulating a petition to require the mayor and city council members to host a citizens’ grievance meeting.
This aerial photo from UNE shows where the university is planning to construct its new research pier
According to the city’s charter, any Biddeford resident can force the council to publicly hear their concerns during a meeting in which only the citizens are allowed to speak if they can collect at least 100 signatures from registered voters.
Carole Alexander is one of the key organizers of the proposed Citizen Grievance meeting.
Alexander is the wife of the late Marshall Alexander who served as the city’s harbor master for 37 years. She says her husband proposed an alternate location for UNE’s pier more than 10 years ago.
“I’m angry,” Alexander said. “The city has bungled the entire process and the truth has been distorted. First, they removed our harbormaster, and now they are going after a planning board member who raised concerns. It’s time for citizens to stand up.”
Alexander says she is more than confident that her group can collect more than 100 signatures in order to force the meeting.
Meanwhile, questions are now being raised about the law firm that the city hired to represent the Zoning Board of Appeals and some potential conflict of interest issues.
Following the Planning Board’s approval of the university’s pier project, John Schafer – one of the project’s most vocal opponents — filed an appeal of that decision with the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals.
Schafer said that he and several other residents are appealing the planning board’s decision because it hinges largely on one central point: whether the university’s plan required the expressed approval of a harbor master.
“All I can hope for is that the zoning board will send this item back to the planning board,” Schafer said. “The planning board got bad information about whether a harbormaster approved the project.”
During the planning board’s review of the proposed pier, City Attorney Harry Center repeatedly told the board that the project had been approved by a harbormaster.
This audio clip of a discussion between Planning Board Chair Alexa Plotkin and Center during one of the Planning Board’s meetings shows that the role and definition of the harbormaster was a central issue of the board’s review.
But Schafer and others point to the city’s own ordinances and say the private engineer who was hired to replace the city’s harbormaster does not meet the definition of a harbormaster from both city and state regulations.
According to city ordinances, a harbormaster must meet specific requirements to hold that title, including being a “city resident for no less than five years; must have five years of marine experience and must attend annual Maine Harbormasters Association training.”
Center, however, argues that the engineer hired by the city only needs to “facilitate” the review process and ensure that other local, state and federal agencies have approved the project.
But opponents say the city’s ordinances are crystal clear in what defines a ‘harbormaster’ and what his or her responsibilities are.
Section 74-35 of Biddeford’s ordinances reads: “Permission for the construction of any new wharf or pier within the jurisdictional limits of the city shall not be granted without approval of the Harbormaster, along with federal, state and local governing authorities.”
“The planning board never heard from an actual harbormaster,” Schafer said. “That’s a big oversight that needs to be addressed.”
More conflicts of interest?
Earlier this month, the city hired Archipelago Law, a small Portland-based law firm to represent the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Former city councilor Kyle Noble says that particular firm has several conflicts of interest issues because four of the firm’s 12 employees graduated from the University of New England’s Marine Sciences program.
Keith Richard, the attorney who will be representing the Zoning Board, refused to comment for this story.
Mayor Marty Grohman declined to comment on the matter because it is a pending legal issue for the city.
Council President Liam LaFountain also said he could not comment directly on the story, but did indicate that he is hoping to learn more about the firm and why they were chosen.
In an email response to Schafer, City Manager Truc Dever wrote: “While I cannot speak to your assertions regarding potential conflicts of interest, I will be looking into this in advance of the appeals hearing to ensure there is, in fact, no conflict.”
Next steps?
A UNE spokesperson said the university is currently searching for a contractor and has initiated a bid process for the project.
Sarah Delage, Associate Vice President of Communications, said an actual construction schedule has not yet been established and that the university will need a building permit from the city’s code enforcement officer.
“The total work can be done in six to eight months,” Delage said, pointing out that both the land portion of the project and the water portion can be done in phases, as opposed to concurrently.
Delage said the university has not reached out to mooring owners who may be impacted by the project, saying that responsibility rests with city officials.
Delage also said the university will periodically update construction information on the school’s website.
The Zoning Board of Appeals hearing has been set for October 9 and residents who are now gathering signatures for a Grievance meeting with the council say they expect to have more than the required number of signatures they need within a few days.
Editor’s Note: A copy of the citizens petition may be viewed or downloaded using the link below:
The Biddeford City Council voted 6-1 Tuesday to give the city’s non-union employees a one-half percent pay increase.
Earlier this year, the council completed negotiations with union employees. Those negotiations resulted in a four percent cost-of-living raise. Meanwhile, during this year’s budget process, non-union employees were allocated a 3.5 percent increase.
All city employees — union and non-union are now on a level playing field when it comes to cost-of-living adjustments.
Those supporting the half percent increase said it was a matter of fairness, arguing that non-union employees should get the same increase given to union employees.
“All of our employees are facing the same inflationary pressures when it comes to housing food and utilities,” said Councilor Doris Ortiz. “Citizens want and demand services, and we have to acknowledge employee turnover. We’re not going to be able to recruit or retain employees if we ignore their challenges.”
According to acting city manager Brian Phinney, the half-percent increase this year could be covered by a personnel reserve account in the city’s budget.
Phinney also said the modest increase would bring the city closer to salaries offered by other nearby communities
Phinney told the council that personnel reserve account has a balance of approximately $26,000.
Former city councilor Stephen St. Cyr, however, told the council that he could see no new information since the council finalized the city’s annual budget in June.
“Taxpayers are also facing inflationary pressures, and you have to look out for them too,” St. Cyr said.
Councilor Marc Lessard also raised concerns about the proposal, pointing out that the recent Consumer Price Index reporting showed only a 2.7 percent increase in June.
“When we were working on the budget – just a few weeks ago – we were hoping for and expected a 3.5 percent increase or less,” Lessard said. “How many times to do we go back to the budget just because we want to spend more money?”
“This is a never-ending story of us spending more than what we budgeted,” he added.
Mayor Marty Grohman reminded councilors and members of the public that the city already has the funds in reserve to cover the increase.
Councilors William Ehmiser and Dylan Doughty were absent from the meeting.
Lessard was the only councilor who voted against the increase.
The city’s non-union employees include department heads and some administrative positions, such as emergency dispatchers.
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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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This week’s installment of Taking Care of Business features the three DiPietrantonio brothers and their popular Main Street convenience store in Biddeford
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While Three D’s Variety on Main Street in Biddeford relies heavily on foot traffic, owner Peter DiPietrantonio says his neighborhood convenience store is also being impacted by an ongoing sewer upgrade project in the downtown area.
“We’re definitely taking a hit, but not as bad as some other businesses,” DiPietrantonio said. “I’d estimate that our sales are down somewhere between 10 and 15 percent.”
Peter, Rob and Mark DiPietrantonio have been operating their Main Street convenience store for more than 30 years. (Seaver photo)
We caught up with Peter just a few days after traffic was allowed to turn right from Lincoln Street to Elm Street, north toward Saco.
“That’s making a huge positive difference,” he said. “Now, we just need to get rid of that temporary traffic light on the corner of Alfred Street.”
Three D’s Variety is one of the longest operating businesses on Main Street.
Peter and his brothers — Mark and Robert — started the business in 1994.
Today, their relatively small shop, located on the corner of Main and Washington streets, is often bustling with activity seven days a week, a mecca of sorts for loyal clientele and others seeking a measure of convenience in downtown Biddeford.
Peter says his family-owned store has benefitted from ongoing downtown revitalization and new community events that take place near the city’s core.
“All the revitalization, new businesses and downtown activities have all been good for us. The more people coming to downtown, the better our business is,” he said.
Robert DiPietrantonio says that more people are living in renovated and formerly vacant downtown mill buildings, substantially increasing foot traffic in the downtown area.
“The more people coming to downtown, the better our business is.”
— Peter DiPietrantonio
“Those residents want the convenience of buying batteries, Band-Aids, aspirin and things like that,” he said.
While new energy and interest in downtown is on an upward trajectory, there are still challenges.
“Just about everything happening in downtown has been very good for us,” Mark DiPietrantonio said during a previous interview. “But thirty years ago, we didn’t have people sleeping in the streets and in our entryways. We want to be helpful, but it is a problem.”
The three brothers say they are optimistic about their future and excited by downtown’s ongoing revitalization.
“We’ve seen a lot of businesses come and go since we opened our store,” Peter said. “You have to be ready to work hard. You have to be constantly keeping an eye on it. It’s not easy, but it is rewarding.”
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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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Okay, so that’s not very funny, but maybe you are one of those people who can always make people laugh.
Have you ever thought about doing some stand-up comedy? If so, Patrick ‘Buzz Gordon’ Ouellette of Biddeford wants to talk with you.
For more than a year now, Buzz — as he is known to his friends and family — has been pouring his blood, sweat and tears into creating a vibrant comedy scene in southern Maine. He is a co-founder of the Comedy Mill, which promotes professional comedy shows and runs a weekly open-mic night for aspiring comics who want to perform before a live audience.
Patrick ‘Buzz Gordon” Ouellette of Biddeford (Facebook photo)
“It’s not as easy as it looks,” Buzz laughed during a recent interview. “Behind the scenes it’s a lot of work. We’re not getting rich, but we love it. We really love it.”
Buzz – a gregarious guy who always seems to be smiling – is especially excited about an upcoming show at Mulligan’s this weekend.
On Saturday, June 14, Brendan Eyre of New York will return to Biddeford to open for Connor McGrath, a nationally known comic who has appeared on the Comedy Channel and on the Late Night with Seth Meyers show.
“This is a big deal for us,” Buzz said. “We’ve been doing this for a year and now Brendan’s coming back to Biddeford to help us celebrate our one-year anniversary.”
That show will take place at Mulligan’s on Lincoln Street, beginning at 8 p.m.
When asked about the weekly open-mic nights on Wednesdays, Buzz says “there’s nothing like hearing a room full of people laughing.”
We’re not getting rich, but we love it. We really love it.”
— Buzz Gordon
“I think we could all use some laughs these days,” he said.
The Comedy Mill is also helping promote this year’s Portland Maine Comedy Festival, which takes place at several venues in Portland from July 17 – July 20.
“Sometimes, we barely break even on our shows,” Buzz said. “But we are driven by one thing: we want people to have fun.
“We’re all delinquents, just hanging out,” he added.
But Buzz also has a soft spot. He and his partners regularly donate to the Biddeford Food Pantry. Earlier this year, they organized a comedy show that featured George Hamm, a nationally known comic and Marine veteran from Maine. All the proceeds from that show were donated to the Maine Homeless Veterans Alliance.
“We got to have each other’s backs, right?” Buzz said, saying the Comedy Mill would not have survived without the support of Mulligan’s. “This is a great city, chock full of great people.”
Buzz graduated in 2005 from Biddeford High School, where he was an avid football player. “Football was life when I was in high school,” he said.
Like most people, Buzz followed a winding path to get where he is today. “I remember thinking I wanted to be a cop, and then I thought I wanted to be a teacher,” he said during an earlier interview.
Today, Buzz works for a bio-tech firm near Portsmouth.
When asked what advice he would give to an aspiring comic, Buzz doesn’t hesitate. “Don’t wait. Just do it.”
“You want to make God laugh, Buzz asked. “Tell him your plans for the future.”
Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be contacted by email: randy@randyseaver.com
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Tuesday was an emotional day for teachers and staff at Biddeford’s John F. Kennedy Memorial School.
The original building was opened in 1965, but a long list of necessary and expensive repairs, upgrades and maintenance issues ultimately forced voters to approve a plan to close the school.
What will happen next to the building and its surrounding playground and parking lot is still unknown.
Earlier this year, the city council created a committee to consider future uses for the property, which is located near the intersection of West and Hill streets.
Photo by Maureen Grandmaison
Over the years, the school building has been expanded. The school once housed students from first to sixth grade, and then third, fourth and fifth grades. Today, the building serves kindergarten and Pre-K students only.
On Thursday, when the dismissal bell rings, the students walking out the door will board their buses and close the final chapter for a school that is fondly remembered by the community it served.
On Tuesday afternoon, current and former teachers and staff members gathered in the school’s gymnasium for an informal pot-luck dinner and an opportunity to share memories and experiences in the school.
“This school is filled with cherished memories for both staff and students,” said Meghan Schrader, JFK’s co-principal. “Although saying farewell is difficult, we are excited about what lies ahead for our students. The new space at BPS will allow for increased collaboration for teachers and create a community of Biddeford’s youngest learners.”
“This school is filled with cherished memories for both staff and students,”
— Meghan Schrader, JFK’s co-principal.
School Supt. Jeremy Ray said that moving the city’s youngest students to BPS will give those children more stability and a less fractured learning experience.
“Going forward, students will be in the same building from Pre- K to second grade,” Ray said. “This way, the kids have four years in one building with lots of familiar faces.”
Schrader agreed with Ray, saying that the new arrangement will also give second grade students the opportunity to be role models and mentors for their younger peers.
Retired teacher Pat Gagne attended Tuesday’s informal goodbye ceremony.
Gagne started teaching in 1977 and spent 16 years teaching at JFK. “It’s a sad moment, but it’s also nice to see our family here,” she said. “We all have so many great stories about working here.”
According to school officials, all kindergarten students will attend Biddeford Primary School while Pre-K students will temporarily be housed at Biddeford Intermediate School until construction of a new wing at the Primary school is fully complete.
The expansion project, launched in a September 2024 groundbreaking ceremony, is designed to bring PreK–2 students under one roof in a modern, developmentally supportive environment.
According to school officials, a 2002 assessment of the building determined that renovating JFK would cost significantly more than constructing a new space.
Last year, Biddeford taxpayers approved a $9 million construction bond to expand BPS—an investment estimated to save up to $16 million over the cost of renovating the aging JFK building.
“Closing JFK School is a significant milestone, not just emotionally but in terms of progress,” said Ray. “We’re incredibly grateful to the staff who have made JFK such a special place to Biddeford’s youngest learners.”
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 nationwide search, the Biddeford City Council is expected next week to confirm the hiring of Truc Dever as the city’s next professional manager.
Dever currently serves as the public works director for the city of Kirkland, Wash., a city with a population of roughly 93,000 people located about eight miles east of Seattle.
According to Mayor Marty Grohman, Dever will begin her new job in Biddeford in August. Details about her contract will not be available until her hiring is confirmed by the city council next week.
Biddeford City Manager Truc Dever
“Truc distinguished herself as the top candidate for the position for several reasons,” said Mayor Martin Grohman. “She brings over two decades of public sector leadership across a range of city operations, as well as experience in human resources and public health. The members of the city council and I are excited to welcome her to Biddeford.”
In her previous position as public work director in Kirkland, Dever oversaw a staff of more than “170 employees across multiple divisions, including utilities, transportation and capital projects,” according to the city’s website.
Dever held various leadership roles before becoming Kirkland’s public works director, including serving as human resources director in Kirkland; general manager at Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District, and director of community affairs within the same agency, where she managed public health communication initiatives.
She also has experience as a small business owner and working in public relations and media roles. She has a bachelor’s degree in communications and political science from UCLA and a master’s degree in public administration from California State University, Fullerton.
“I am honored to be considered for this position as Biddeford’s next city manager,” said Dever. “I look forward to working alongside city leaders and community members to continue building a future focused on opportunity, sustainability and resiliency.”
Dever will become the city of Biddeford’s fifth city manager, taking over the helm from acting City Manager Brian Phinney. Previous city managers include Bennett, John Bubier, Edward Clifford and Bruce Benway.
According to the Kirkland city website, as the city’s human resources director, Dever “helped negotiate six collective bargaining agreements with the city’s labor unions; spearheaded the effort to provide affordable, accessible, and quality childcare benefits to Kirkland employees.
Grohman said Dever was selected from a pool of 34 applicants in a nationwide search for candidates.
Dever will begin her tenure Monday, August 11. Brian Phinney, the city’s chief operating officer, will continue to serve as acting city manager until Dever’s contract begins.
Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be contacted by email: randy@randyseaver.com
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Just a few days after hearing several negative comments from the public about their proposed research and docking pier, officials from the University of New England distributed a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) document with the media and community leaders.
The university (UNE) says the FAQ document is intended to clarify “a variety of misunderstandings [that] have emerged about the project” and to “clear up misinformation that has circulated about the (proposal).”
That meeting drew scores of people, filling the council chamber while several other members of the public overflowed into the hallway.
During the public comment period, several people took to the podium, raising concerns about the plan and criticizing the university. No one at the meeting spoke in support of the proposal.
Former City Councilor Michael Swanton – who previously represented the city’s coastal area on the city council – told the board that he is neutral about the proposed pier.
An aerial photo showing the area where the University of New England wants to construct a new research/docking pier. (UNE photo)
During a telephone interview Wednesday, Sarah Delage, a university spokesperson, reiterated that UNE wants to be proactive and follow a review process that includes addressing public concerns, listening to opponents and responding to every regulatory agency’s particular request for information.
“From our perspective, we have clearly communicated with all the regulatory agencies,” Delage said. “We are absolutely committed to working in good faith with everyone and listening to all voices.”
UNE President James Herbert did not mince words about his frustrations regarding “misinformation” in a letter he sent to community leaders on Tuesday.
“Unfortunately, a great deal of misinformation has been spread about the proposal,” Herbert wrote. “UNE cannot continue to allow the level of misinformation and, in some cases outright false statements, to go unanswered.”
Herbert told community leaders that “most, if not all, of the comments that were presented to the Planning Board [during last week’s meeting] are irrelevant to the criteria that the Planning Board must apply to UNE’s application for site plan approval.”
UNE cannot continue to allow the level of misinformation and, in some cases outright false statements, to go unanswered.”
— James Herbert, president of the University of New England
What do the critics say?
John Schafer, the former chair of Biddeford’s Harbor Commission and a retired engineer, has been an outspoken critic of the project for several months.
Schafer and other critics of the proposed pier created a Facebook page known as UNE Pier Review.
For more than a year, Schafer and others have been doggedly tracking the review process, raising concerns about “a lack of transparency” and other issues, most notably stating that the proposed pier should be located in a different location, closer to shore primarily because of water depth issues and impacts to existing moorings in the Saco River.
Schafer received a copy of the university’s FAQ document, describing it as “polished spin.”
“The public finally had an opportunity to speak at last week’s meeting, and apparently the university didn’t like what it heard,” Schafer said. “No one from the university reached out to me,” he added, saying it has been more than difficult to obtain documents from the university, including a copy of their request for $3.5 million in federal funding for the project.
“While reading this thing, my bullshit meter pegged the needle off the charts,” Schafer said.
Schafer raised several specific objections to the items listed on the university’s document, including the actual number of mooring owners who would be impacted; statements regarding whether the university has threatened to sue the city if their plan is not approved, and contrary statements issued by the university regarding the potential impact on federal funding if the review process is delayed.
“While reading this thing, my bullshit meter pegged the needle off the charts,”
— John Schafer, former chair, Biddeford Harbor Commission
“How can they with a straight face say that only two moorings will be impacted?” Schafer said. “Were they not at the same meeting as the rest of us?”
Schafer says that seven moorings will be impacted, dismissing the university’s offer to swap, purchase or relocate other moorings. “Exactly where would they be relocated?” Schafer asked. “There is not unlimited room on the river and there is a substantial waiting list of people hoping to get a mooring on the river.”
Delage, however, said the university has been making good faith efforts to identify and contact all mooring owners who may be impacted by the pier.
“The harbormaster previously indicated that only two moorings would be impacted in his communication to the (Maine Department of Environmental Protection) DEP” Delage said, adding that “there is no official record of mooring owners.”
While much of the public conversation about the proposed pier has centered upon water depth issues, the FAQ document provides more details about why the university picked their preferred site over an alternative that was offered by the city’s harbormaster.
According to the FAQ document, the university’s preferred site location (Site 7) “best meets the combined criteria (required). It is located where there is a small intertidal zone, comprised primarily of rock without sea grass, and the currents are slower because it is farther from the river channel.
“The dock’s main berth would be aligned with the current in the river and would be deep enough to provide all-tide access for the range of vessels expected to use the facility with the smallest overall footprint, thereby minimizing environmental impacts.”
Other issues
UNE’s FAQ document also addresses several other issues, including whether the university threatened to sue the city, claims about an ongoing FBI investigation and why Biddeford Harbormaster Paul Lariviere was removed from review of the proposal.
Almost exactly one year before Wednesday’s Planning Board meeting, former Biddeford City Manager James Bennett sent a letter to Lariviere, saying the harbormaster had been biased in his review of UNE’s proposal as evidenced by “several” public comments he has made outlining his steadfast objections to the project.
Schafer says that the city’s move to quash both the harbormaster and the assistant harbormaster was simply part of an effort to grease the skids for the university. “Now look at where we are,” Schafer said. “The city spent $2,800 to hire a guy without any local knowledge or previous experience as a harbormaster to simply check the box and say that UNE had filed all the right paperwork. Heck, the city clerk could have done that.
Did UNE threaten to sue the city?
Ron Schneider, the university’s chief legal counsel, did send a letter to Biddeford City Attorney Harry Center on February 13, 2024, several months before the university submitted its formal proposal to the city.
In that letter, Schneider wrote “It is our sincere hope that UNE is not forced to resort to litigation to avoid the delay and expense that will result if Mr. Lariviere were to insist on obstructing the building of the pier.”
UNE’s document describes that communication between the two attorneys as an opportunity to “raise concerns about serious due process errors” to Biddeford’s attorney. “The goal of this communication was to correct these errors to avoid having to appeal to a court.”
Another item that the university describes as misinformation, is a claim that the FBI is investigating the review process.
“After others claimed that the FBI was investigating UNE, the university reached out to the FBI and offered to meet with them, which they said was not necessary,” the university wrote in its FAQ document. “UNE has no reason to believe that the FBI is investigating the university.”
Schafer, however, said he and others were, in fact, questioned last year by the FBI about “the review process, not specifically about the university.”
Where do we go from here?
Despite some controversy, UNE’s proposal has received approval from every regulatory agency that has reviewed the project, including the Saco River Corridor Commission, the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.
The review of the project by the Biddeford Planning Board is expected to be extensive. During last week’s meeting, board members asked UNE representatives for additional information and then voted unanimously to conduct both a site walk and a “boat tour” near the proposed location.
Schafer and others have praised the Planning Board’s “obvious commitment” to fairness and transparency. He says he will continue to keep a close watch on the project.
Delage says that the university is willing to meet with critics or others who would like more information about the proposal.
“The university really appreciates any opportunity to put more information out there for the public.” Delage said. “We are acting in good faith for everyone involved, especially those who use and cherish the river like we do.”
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 GAZETTE 