Harry B. Center – BIDDEFORD GAZETTE

By RANDY SEAVER, Editor

Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain ran his campaign last year on a platform dedicated to restoring accountability and increasing transparency at City Hall.

Those were good messages, and the voters agreed with LaFountain, giving him the edge over the incumbent former mayor.

LaFountain pledged to hit the ground running, and he’s already made good on those campaign promises.

As an example, LaFountain – with unanimous support from the city council – was able to revive a new committee to review ongoing development at the University of New England.

LaFountain has also steadily pushed for transparency on issues ranging from the city’s overdue financial audits to how city spending is handled; and how major development projects are reviewed by city staff.

We applaud LaFountain’s commitment to transparency and accountability, but we would caution the new mayor to carefully consider and weigh a proposed change to how the city handles its legal matters.

Shortly after his inauguration in December, LaFountain proposed an idea to do away with having an outside, private attorney represent Biddeford as its city solicitor.

While the council supported renewing City Attorney Harry B. Center’s contract for only six more months, it’s unclear whether a potential change would ultimately be supported by every member of the council, when push comes to shove.

*Harry B. Center, a native son, has served the city of Biddeford for many years, first appointed by former mayor Roger Normand in 1992 (Courtesy photo)*

Regardless of how the council feels about ditching Center and instead hiring an in-house, full-time city attorney, we think such a move would be a mistake.

The basis of our opinion is founded upon three basic points: experience, local knowledge and financial costs to the taxpayers.

EXPERIENCE:

Center began serving Biddeford as its city solicitor more than 30 years ago, first appointed to the job by former mayor Roger Normand in 1992.

Since that time, Center has served as city solicitor under five different mayors, including James Grattelo, Donna Dion, Alan Casavant, Marty Grohman and now Liam LaFountain.

Although Center resigned his position in 2004 to pursue a new job in the private sector, he returned after being appointed by Casavant to replace Keith Jacques upon his retirement as city solicitor in 2022.

Over the last three decades, Center has served as the city’s chief legal counsel on a wide range of issues – including controversial matters related to the former Maine Energy trash incinerator and widespread citizen concerns about a controversial research pier being proposed by the University of New England.

Simply put, Mr. Center’s institutional knowledge cannot be matched.

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE:

Center is much more than just another department head or city employee. His roots in the community go back for generations.

He was born and raised in Biddeford. He attended St. Mary’s parochial school and then graduated from Biddeford High School in 1980.

If Biddeford needs representation on issues involving far-reaching implications for the city’s future, we think it makes sense to have an attorney who truly understands the community he is fighting for and representing.

Mr. Center is not only a highly qualified attorney and a partner in a Biddeford-based firm, he also understands the city’s history, its culture and its people.

Mr. Center’s blood runs black and orange, and that should count for something.

Although we have sometimes found ourselves in disagreement with some of Center’s opinions, we also feel strongly that he has consistently represented the city with passion, dedication and a deep commitment to the highest standards of his profession.

_________________

Mr. Center’s blood runs

black and orange; and

that should count for something.

_________________

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Finally – although we recognize and appreciate some calls for a new approach and a breath of fresh air, we should all consider the financial implications of hiring an in-house attorney to serve as the city solicitor.

Currently, Center bills the city at an hourly rate of $255 per hour, a fraction of what most attorneys with his experience and credentials charge in the Portland metropolitan area.

The city’s primary financial advantage – in addition to Mr. Center’s deeply discounted fee — is the fact that he is not a full-time employee. Mr. Center receives no benefits from the city, unlike full-time department heads.

Center’s firm is headquartered on Main Street, almost directly across the street from City Hall’s main entrance. For all intents and purposes, he’s practically already ‘in-house’ counsel for the city.

Could the city hire a new attorney for less than what Center is charging? We strongly doubt that possibility, especially if the city wants someone with experience.

Moreover, creating yet another administrative position comes with all sorts of other somewhat hidden considerations, including office space, equipment and support staff, not to mention personnel benefits, including vacation and retirement benefits.

In summary, Harry Center has served the city of Biddeford with distinction and honor for many years. In our opinion, there is no compelling reason to throw away that experience and commitment on the gamble of a new approach.

That’s our opinion, and we welcome yours. You may submit either a guest column of the same length or a letter to the editor by contacting us at biddefordgazette@gmail.com.

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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 it makes sense today to at least “explore” the idea.

Currently, Harry B. Center serves as the city’s attorney when needed. Center also has several other clients and is a managing partner at Woodman Edmands, a small Biddeford-based law firm located on Main Street.

*City Attorney Harry B. Cnter, II (Courtesy photo)*

During the Dec. 16 council meeting, LaFountain will ask the council to approve a six-month contract renewal for Center. Typically, the city’s attorney is appointed for two years.

LaFountain said it only makes sense to keep Center on board while the council digs deeper in consideration of the proposed change.

“We need to make sure that we have stability moving forward,” LaFountain said during an interview with the Gazette. “We have lots of items and issues under consideration. I am not proposing to make any changes without fully vetting the plan with the city council.”

LaFountain said it may turn out that hiring an in-house attorney would not be a good idea. “I just want us to consider the possibility and think about potential benefits and advantages.”

In a memo to the city council, LaFountain wrote: “Biddeford is entering a period of increased legal activity across land use, development agreements, personnel matters, and policy implementation.”

Center says he will continue to serve the city to the best of his ability, regardless of whether the council decides to make a change at the beginning of the next fiscal year on July 1, 2026.

Center says he bills the city at a rate of $225 per hour, a fraction of the billable rates of attorneys working in larger Portland firms.

“It’s just a matter of what makes the best overall sense for the city,” LaFountain explained. “We are in a transition period. We have six new councilors coming on board, a new city manager and we’re looking to hire a new economic and development director and new chief operating officer.

“This may be the exact time to consider making a change in how we handle our legal services,” the mayor added.

On the advantage side, LaFountain says having an in-house attorney could improve efficiency, responsiveness and long-term cost management, similar to models used in other municipalities of comparable size. Both Portland and Bangor have an in-house attorney, he said.

Shortly after graduating from law school, Center was hired by the late Mayor Roger Normand in 1992.

Center resigned his position as city solicitor in 2004 to pursue a new job in the private sector. Center returned as the city’s attorney after being appointed by Mayor Alan Casavant to replace Keith Jacques upon his retirement in 2022.

Over the years, Center has served under five mayors (Normand, Grattelo, Dion, Casavant and Grohman).

A Biddeford native, Center attended St. Mary’s School and graduated from Biddeford High School in 1980.

“I have seen a lot of changes over the years,” Center said. “There are always ups and downs. The bottom line is that I serve at the pleasure of the mayor and city council.”

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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com

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Tag: Harry B. Center

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