Breaking News: Gervais leaving Biddeford

Following a two-year period of tumultuous staffing turnovers at Biddeford City Hall, another department head has announced his resignation. The Biddeford Gazette was able to confirm today that George Gervais-- the city's director of economic and community development -- has resigned his position, a little less than 18 months after he was hired by the … Continue reading Breaking News: Gervais leaving Biddeford

City alleges ‘breach of contract’ by former city manager

According to documents filed in York County Superior Court, the city of Biddeford is asking the Court to dismiss a complaint filed earlier this year by former city manager James Bennett. In his lawsuit against the city, Bennett claims that he is entitled to more than $200,000 in wages and other compensation, as outlined in … Continue reading City alleges ‘breach of contract’ by former city manager

City manager files lawsuit against Biddeford

Despite receiving a blistering and somewhat embarrassing report last week about the city’s financial controls and procedures, Biddeford officials are remaining tight-lipped about the abrupt departure of former city manager James Bennett. In fact, Bennett has filed a civil complaint against the city in York County Superior Court. During a public review of the city’s … Continue reading City manager files lawsuit against Biddeford

New Chamber director: ‘Lots of opportunities here’

Matt Lewis sees nothing but potential in the Biddeford-Saco area. Lewis, 58, was hired in May as the new executive director of the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Lewis moved to Maine from the San Francisco area a little more than two years ago. California, he said, is still struggling from the aftermath of … Continue reading New Chamber director: ‘Lots of opportunities here’

Fecteau’s housing bill gets bipartisan approval

According to a press release, both the Maine House of Representatives and Senate voted unanimously last week to approve a housing bill that was introduced by Speaker Ryan Fecteau (D-Biddeford). The bill, LD 1829, is intended to make it easier to build new housing units by amending zoning requirements and providing clarity for municipalities, developers … Continue reading Fecteau’s housing bill gets bipartisan approval

Biddeford’s Juneteenth Celebration a success

By Emma Bouthillette, Contributing writer Maine still holds the title for the whitest state in the country, but as historian and retired journalist Bob Greene is quick to point out, Black history has deep roots in Maine. Greene was welcomed as the keynote speaker at Biddeford’s Juneteenth Celebration, hosted by the city’s Diversity, Equity and … Continue reading Biddeford’s Juneteenth Celebration a success

La Kermesse 2025: A lot of work to have a lot of fun

Today (Thursday, June 19) is the first day of the 42nd annual La Kermesse Festival.  But the volunteers who make the annual festival possible have been working hard behind the scenes for the last 11 months in order to make this year’s celebration even more festive. Although the festival celebrates the region’s Franco-American culture and … Continue reading La Kermesse 2025: A lot of work to have a lot of fun

Planning board hits pause button on UNE pier

Following more than an hour of impassioned public testimony, the Biddeford Planning Board voted unanimously Wednesday to table further review of UNE’s controversial pier proposal until all board members can participate in a site walk. Although the Planning Board conducted a site walk at the university on June 9, board member Roch Angers was unable … Continue reading Planning board hits pause button on UNE pier

New manager explains her excitement about Biddeford

Truc Dever -- the woman hired to become Biddeford’s next city manager – told the Biddeford Gazette that she and her husband are excited about moving to Maine and have long referred to the state as their “forever home.” The Biddeford City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to hire Dever with a two -year contract that … Continue reading New manager explains her excitement about Biddeford

Downtown merchants struggle, remain hopeful

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 … Continue reading Downtown merchants struggle, remain hopeful

Gen. LaFayette will return to Biddeford on June 24

In just a few days, General Marquis de LaFayette – a hero of the American Revolutionary War -- will be making his triumphant return to Biddeford. Well, sort of. Members of the Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center and the Biddeford Historical Society are now busy preparing for some festivities that will celebrate LaFayette’s last visit … Continue reading Gen. LaFayette will return to Biddeford on June 24

Council pauses on major development project

Several members of the Biddeford City Council expressed significant and pointed concerns during Tuesday’s council meeting about a proposed affordable housing project near the corner of Lincoln and Pearl streets. Westbrook Development Corp. is hoping to construct approximately 90 units of affordable housing for residents over the age of 55. The developers say the monthly … Continue reading Council pauses on major development project

Biddeford voters will decide school budget

Biddeford voters will soon be asked whether they approve a $49.3 million budget for operation of Biddeford’s public schools during the next fiscal year. The $49,269,781 school budget was ratified by the city council on May 8 and represents what School Supt. Jeremy Ray describes as a “carefully managed” expenditure increase of slightly more than … Continue reading Biddeford voters will decide school budget

UNE hopes to correct ‘misinformation’

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] … Continue reading UNE hopes to correct ‘misinformation’