[This story has been updated to include commentary from Alexa Plotkin, chair of Biddeford's planning board.] By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain won his campaign a few weeks ago by promising to prioritize transparency and accountability at City Hall. As part of that pledge, LaFountain has been seeking and interviewing people who have expressed … Continue reading Mayor proposes planning board shakeup
Tag: Biddeford
West Brook skating: an enduring legacy in Biddeford
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor The West Brook skating rink in Biddeford was first opened to the public roughly four weeks before Warren G. Harding was inaugurated as the 29th president of the United States in 1921. Although the outdoor rink has undergone some dramatic changes over the last century, the heart of its mission has … Continue reading West Brook skating: an enduring legacy in Biddeford
Saco official blasts Biddeford officials
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Kevin Roche -- a former Saco city councilor and current member of the Saco School Board -- has publicly criticized Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain and the Biddeford City Council for the way they are handling the review of a large pier being proposed by the University of New England. In addition … Continue reading Saco official blasts Biddeford officials
OPINION: Bacon & Eggs
What's it like to be unhoused and hungry on Christmas Day By TOM McPHEETERS, Contributing Writer “What I miss most is bacon and eggs,” he said. I see this gentleman every week at Seeds of Hope and have struck up a bit of a relationship. He agrees that breakfasts at Seeds of Hope are pretty … Continue reading OPINION: Bacon & Eggs
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Santa Claus gets real
By RANDY SEAVER Originally published in Saco Bay News; Dec. 24, 2023 He’s known by many names. Some call him Father Christmas; others call him St. Nicholas or Kris Kringle. But here in North America, he is best known as Santa Claus. Just two days before the Christmas holiday this year, Santa made time to … Continue reading EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Santa Claus gets real
Biddeford changes sewer billing process
(Contributed story) Biddeford wastewater customers will now receive their wastewater (sewer) bills from Maine Water Company, a privately owned utility. According to a recent press release, the city transitioned from in-house billing to using Maine Water's billing and customer service expertise in order to “stabilize the administrative processes for sewer billing.” As part of the … Continue reading Biddeford changes sewer billing process
New committee will oversee development at UNE
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor As part of his campaign promise to increase government transparency, accountability and citizen participation, newly-elected Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain unveiled his plan to create a new ad-hoc committee that will oversee all development on the University of New England’s Biddeford campus. LaFountain’s plan was warmly received by both the city council … Continue reading New committee will oversee development at UNE
How much does it cost to become mayor?
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor According to campaign finance reports, a total of more than $14,200 was spent by the three mayoral candidates in Biddeford’s Nov. 6 municipal election. Yesterday (Dec.16) was the deadline for filing those reports with the city clerk. Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain (City of Biddeford photo) Former Mayor Marty Grohman spent the … Continue reading How much does it cost to become mayor?
Your blood is desperately needed during holidays
In his letter to the editor, this Red Cross volunteer offers a stark reality about the need for blood donations during this time of year. Editor: A few hours into the blood drive, Nancy walked out of the Biddeford Eagles Facility in tears. I hurried to meet her and asked what was wrong. Through her … Continue reading Your blood is desperately needed during holidays
St. Louis Alumni Association makes sizeable donations
Contributed Story The St. Louis Alumni Association of Biddeford recently announced donation awards totaling $50,000 to three Biddeford non-profit organizations. The association donated $20,000 to the Biddeford Food Pantry and $25,000 to Biddeford’s My Place Teen Center. Don Bisson of the Biddeford Food Pantry (far left) receives a $20,000 donation from the St. Louis Alumni … Continue reading St. Louis Alumni Association makes sizeable donations
OPINION: Are we ‘here’ or are we ‘present’?
I am going to miss the councilor from Ward Five It’s going to be weird on Tuesday. Weird, happy and a tinge of sadness. The first regular meeting of the new Biddeford Council -- along with a new mayor -- should give us a good preview and set the tone for what we can expect … Continue reading OPINION: Are we ‘here’ or are we ‘present’?
End of an era? City considers hiring ‘in-house’ attorney
Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain is floating the idea of hiring an “in-house” city attorney, a significant departure from the current model of operating under a retainer contract with a local law firm. Although the concept of hiring an attorney as a full-time city employee was discussed and rejected more than 30 years ago, LaFountain says … Continue reading End of an era? City considers hiring ‘in-house’ attorney
Developer secures funding for environmental remediation near former MERC site
A public hearing about the project remediation will be held Dec. 18 Contributed Story; Legal Notice Fathom Companies --- a development firm that will be building a mixed-use and housing project near the intersection of Lincoln and Pearl streets in Biddeford --- has received a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) … Continue reading Developer secures funding for environmental remediation near former MERC site
2025: A year of big changes in Biddeford
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor There is little doubt that 2025 was a year of substantive change for the city of Biddeford. From political fallout to major infrastructure improvements and new business openings, this year featured a plethora of news stories about change. In fact, even the news/media landscape changed as a new digital news source … Continue reading 2025: A year of big changes in Biddeford
Hannaford invests $10,000 to bolster Biddeford-based non-profit
Contributed Story As hunger relief organizations report an increase in demand heading into the winter months, Hannaford Supermarkets is partnering with Youth Full Maine and Wayside Food Programs to provide a critical boost to food access programs this holiday season, according to a company press release. Dozens of Hannaford associates joined non-profit leaders and volunteers … Continue reading Hannaford invests $10,000 to bolster Biddeford-based non-profit
School daze for new Biddeford city councilors?
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Tomorrow night – Dec. 9 – the new members of the Biddeford City Council will be getting some required “training” for their new roles in city government. The city council workshop –-- ostensibly open to the public, but why? -- will feature four breakout sessions, including updates from City Manager Truc … Continue reading School daze for new Biddeford city councilors?
Ceremony held to remember Biddeford cyclist killed by delivery truck
A small group of people gathered Sunday morning at the intersection of Foss and Fall streets in Biddeford, where a cyclist was killed on Sept. 26. Patrick Conlon, a member of Bike BS, a local cycling advocacy group, helped organize the quiet ceremony to remember the life of Heather Hamilton with a permanent plaque and … Continue reading Ceremony held to remember Biddeford cyclist killed by delivery truck
Age Friendly: Helping seniors stay in their homes
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor As members of the Baby Boom generation continue to age, a relatively new organization is dedicated to helping seniors maintain their independence and remain in their own homes. The ‘Age Friendly’ program is an initiative launched by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and offers program services in several states … Continue reading Age Friendly: Helping seniors stay in their homes
UNE students help families in need during holidays
Contributed Story Students from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Sigma Sigma Phi (SSP) KAPPA Chapter continued a longstanding holiday tradition on Friday, Dec. 12, hosting their annual Holiday Giving Tree toy drive on UNE’s Biddeford Campus to support local families through the Biddeford Primary School. Now in its seventh year, the … Continue reading UNE students help families in need during holidays
Climate change & Biddeford: What’s next?
By THOMAS McPHEETERS, Special to the Gazette Municipalities all across Maine are attempting to respond to the challenge of climate change, but in contrast to the “Maine Won’t Wait” dictum in the state’s plan, local advocates and government are finding it slow going. That’s partly due to the nature of government, with its myriads of … Continue reading Climate change & Biddeford: What’s next?
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