Behind the scenes: Biddeford Public Works

December 5, 2025December 5, 2025 ~ Randy Seaver ~ 3 Comments

By RANDY SEAVER, Editor

Spend just a few minutes talking with Biddeford’s Public Works Director Jeff Demers and you quickly learn that his department is literally the heart of all city operations.

In fact, Demers and his crew are tasked with taking care of all the things many residents take for granted, from trash collection to snow plowing during winter storms.

But Demers’ list of responsibilities runs much deeper than the large orange trucks we see moving snow or collecting household waste.

The public works department also takes care of all city vehicles, including ambulances, fire trucks and police cruisers – from routine oil changes to tire rotation and fan-belt repairs.

*Public Works Director Jeff Demers poses near a fleet of trucks being prepared for the next winter storm (Seaver photo)*

Other city departments rely heavily upon the Public Works Department.

“We take care of maintenance of the city’s parks and recreation facilities, and we do the construction of projects coordinated by the Engineering Department,” Demers says. “Yeah, you could safely say we keep the city running and functioning as it should.”

Additionally, the public works department oversees all operations at the city’s wastewater treatment facilities, ensuring that the city meets or exceeds state and federal environmental regulations.

“Stop and think about it for a minute,” Demers explains. “If we stop working, things grind to a halt pretty quickly. What’s going to happen to your trash? You don’t want to see sewer back-ups or snow-covered roads and sidewalks. We keep the school busses running and handle most city repairs.”

Demers says his department would be “nothing” without a team of “exceptional, hardworking employees.”

“Public Works may be the heart of the city, but our employees are the heart of our operations, day in and day out,” he said.

Demers says he has 64 employees, including 14 employees in the wastewater department.

Demers has worked 30 years for the city, the last eight as director of public works. “I am lucky to work with some outstanding people,” he said.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow . . .

Despite our assumptions about the busy season, Demers says winter weather months are a “bit of a lull” that allows his team ample time to catch up on some inside projects.

But when Mother Nature hits, Demers and his team hit back.

Snow plowing services are more complicated than you would expect. Demers has the city divided into more than 10 different zones. Each zone has unique characteristics such as one-way streets, dead ends or especially narrow rights of way and environmentally sensitive areas.

*Demers stands in front of a large, 280-ton pile of road salt that should get the city through this winter season (Seaver Photo)*

Roughly 35 people are available to work various equipment during the storms, including plows, graders, loaders and sidewalk clearing vehicles.

Each piece of equipment features a computer that tracks the position of all vehicles during a storm event, including data about the amount of sand and magnesium chloride.

“Nothing is left to guesswork,” Demers explains. “We know exactly where and how each piece of equipment is functioning.”

As an example, Demers pointed out that during last Tuesday’s winter storm, roughly 26 tons of salt and 97 gallons of magnesium chloride were used in the Biddeford Pool neighborhood for just one storm.

When calculating labor, fuel and other factors, the city spent roughly $2,161 just to clear public roads and rights-of-ways in Biddeford Pool during one storm.

Without fail, especially during the first storm of the season, many residents complain that they did not know a parking ban was in effect, despite the city’s best efforts of publishing information on social media, and through television news stations. You can also learn about snow bans by signing up for automatic e-mail updates.

“Bottom line, we have to get the roads cleared,” Demers explains. “If the area is expecting more than just a couple of inches, you should probably prepare for an overnight parking ban.”

Demers says he relies on information from NOAA (National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration) and local news channels in determining when to issue a parking ban.

During last week’s storm, which lasted almost 24 hours, Demers said he had crew members working 24 hours through the storm to keep the city’s streets and roads cleared.

In total, Demers says his team plows roughly 292 miles of road (two lanes) in Biddeford. By comparison that would be the equivalent of plowing one lane from Biddeford to Albany, New York.

“Technology is really helping us,” Demers said. “We can report what each storm costs and that helps us when determining our budget request from the city.”

The city’s salt shed has the capacity to store roughly 325 tons of salt. Currently, the city has 280 tons of salt in the garage. “I’m hoping that will get us through the winter,” Demers said while standing in front of large hill of road salt.

“We’re always looking for ways to cut costs.”

Ongoing projects, saving taxpayer dollars

Demers points to a long laundry list of tasks that need his department’s attention, including a sewer upgrade on Lincoln Street to accommodate two new housing projects near the city’s parking garage on Pearl Street.

The intersection of May and Alfred streets is being reconfigured so that traffic from May Street will only be able to turn right onto Alfred Street.

By stepping in and providing in-house services, Demers said his department has helped the city save a lot of money, including a repair of a large, river-side retaining wall (roughly $3.5 million in savings) and rebuilding the destroyed bathhouse at Biddeford Pool (roughly $160,000 in savings).

“We’re always looking for ways to cut costs and improve efficiencies,” Demers said.

But budget realities hit the public works department hard.

“We’re always looking to hire the right people,” Demers said. “We want the skilled workers, the people with carpentry, plumbing or electrical skills but we can’t offer a very competitive salary. Someone with a CDL (commercial driver’s license) can probably earn as much as 30 percent more in the private sector.

“I’m fortunate to have great people working here, but I would say my biggest challenge is figuring out how to keep them here.”

______________________

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

Never miss another update! Subscribe for free today!

‘Town Hall’ meeting draws questions and concerns

October 14, 2025October 17, 2025 ~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

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.

Detailed information about the two bonds can be found here: Local Referendum Questions

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.

_________________

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

Never miss another update! Subscribe for free today!

Creative ideas floated for Biddeford traffic woes

May 21, 2025May 23, 2025 ~ Randy Seaver ~ 2 Comments

A small contingent of downtown Biddeford business owners and residents filed into Mayor Marty Grohman’s office Wednesday morning to “brainstorm” and share ideas about how to soften the impact of an ongoing road construction project that sometimes snarls traffic.

Grohman set up the meeting last week after his voicing his own concerns about the situation in a Facebook post that showed him driving through the city.

Grohman started the meeting by pointing out the window of his second-floor office at City Hall, which overlooks the intersection of Adams and Main streets.

*A small group of residents and downtown merchants meet with the mayor to discuss ways to help downtown business and soften the impact of a “massive” road construction project (Seaver photo)*

“There is literally no traffic right now,” Grohman said, pointing to an absence of traffic at 10 a.m. on Wednesday.

Just a few moments later, northbound traffic was backed up with a stream of vehicles, some of which were blocking the intersection, not allowing traffic to turn right or left onto Main Street from Adams Street.

Grohman described the sewer upgrade as a “massive job” mandated by the state in order to prevent untreated sewage from flowing into the Saco River.

Those attending the meeting said the city needs to change its “messaging” about the project.

“it really doesn’t matter why it has to be done,” said Jon Phillips, co-owner of Time & Tide Coffee on Main Street. “People either already know why the project has to be done or they don’t care.”

Peter DiPietrantonio, the owner of 3D’s Variety on Main Street, agreed with Phillips. “There are a lot of angry drivers out there,” he said. “And they are just making it worse for everyone.”

Although the group shared their frustrations, most of the conversation centered upon ways to possibly reduce the traffic impacts and help struggling business owners.

“We have to find new and creative ways to bring people back into downtown,” said Carolyn Schmidtke of Better Biddeford, a downtown advocacy group. “Our downtown businesses are really hurting.”

Phillips said his revenues are down roughly 30 percent, while DiPietrantonio said his business is down 10-15 percent. Ian Kern, co-owner of Nibblesford on Washington Avenue, reported his business is down roughly 40 percent.

“People are avoiding downtown because they don’t want to get stuck in traffic,” said resident Barbara Pelletier. “But the reality is that even when traffic is bad, it takes only a couple of extra minutes to get from one place to the next.”

“We have to find new and creative ways
to bring people back into downtown.”
— Carolyn Schmidtke

The group discussed ideas such as a “downtown passport” program where downtown visitors could get a stamp in a booklet at different locations and then be entered for a raffle prize.

Other ideas suggested included holding additional downtown events and programs.

The group also discussed potential ideas aimed at easing traffic concerns, including allowing traffic to turn right on red at the intersection of Hill Street, possibly hiring traffic guards to direct traffic in high-volume areas, including near Mechanics Park and increasing signage about the project along the city’s outer perimeter near the entrance of the Turnpike.

Ted Sirois of Saco said he understands why motorists are frustrated. Sirois told the group that he has been avoiding downtown because of the project, saying he used to visit Dupuis Hardware on Elm Street but now uses the turnpike to go to Ace Hardware in Scarborough.

Public Work Director Jeff Demers said he does not understand that logic. “I’m not saying that things are easy, but I go to local merchants because I like the owners, I like the service and the products,” he said. “If it’s going to take me a few extra minutes, so what?”

Demers shared that the project was well coordinated in its planning stages and continues to be a collaborative project with city officials in Saco, the Maine Turnpike, the Maine Department of Transportation, fire and police services in both communities and the city’s engineering staff.

“Summer is coming,” said resident Amy Francouer. “But at what cost? We have worked so hard over the last few years to bring people into downtown. How do we get them to keep coming here?”

Phillips said he is hoping the community will rally as it did during the early weeks of the Covid pandemic. “We’re one community,” he said. “We can do this if we work together.”

Grohman said he is planning another public meeting next week.

“I think we heard some good stuff today, hopefully we can come up with some positive solutions,” the mayor said. “I’m pleased that we have people willing to help and I think we can be creative.

Never miss another update! Subscribe for free today!

Biddeford’s ‘Big Dig’ will begin in April

March 14, 2025April 26, 2025 ~ Randy Seaver ~ 4 Comments

The seven-month project is expected to have a “significant impact” on local traffic

No matter how you slice it, there is no denying that a major road repair project will significantly impact traffic in Biddeford and Saco.

City officials are asking motorists in the two cities to prepare for significant delays, plan accordingly and try to be as patient as possible during the construction project.

Facing increasing pressure from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, the city of Biddeford needs to upgrade a section of its stormwater and sewer infrastructure on a section of Elm Street (Rte. One).

*Biddeford City Engineer Craig Chekan presented a project overview*

The project will begin in early April and will extend from the intersection of Hooper and Elm streets (near the ‘Black Bridge”) and will continue southbound on Elm Street, past Main Street to Center Street in Biddeford.

While southbound traffic from Saco into Biddeford will not face detours, northbound traffic from Biddeford into Saco will all be redirected onto Main Street for the duration of the project.

The project is expected to take seven months to fully complete, meaning summer tourism traffic will also be impacted.

While the city works to upgrade its sewer separation systems, Maine Water will also use the opportunity to upgrade its infrastructure with new 16-inch water pipes in the construction area.

The project is expected to cost Biddeford roughly $3 million. Maine Water is expected to spend $2 million on its upgrades in the area.

Brace for impact

Biddeford Public Works Director Jeff Demers said the city knows the project will leave people feeling frustrated as they attempt to navigate between the two cities.

“We have been doing as much advance work as possible,” Demers said. “We are working closely with our counterparts in Saco. We have been studying traffic patterns and we’ll be adjusting timing of the traffic lights in downtown.”

During an informal public meeting about the project, City Engineer Craig Chekan said the project has been “in development” for more than a year.

“We really can’t put this project off any longer,” Chekan said. “The DEP is breathing down our necks to get this [sewer/stormwater separation] done.”

As part of the project, existing gas lines in the area will be removed and reconfigured.

During the construction, Hooper Street residents will still be able to receive city services, such as trash and recycling collection. But area residents will likely be impacted by noise as crews work through bedrock in the area.

Hooper Street resident Shawn O’Keefe attended Thursday’s meeting. When asked his opinion, he shrugged his shoulders and smiled. “It is what it is,” he said.

Demers said the project will be conducted during daytime hours to increase efficiency and save a significant amount of money.

“If we tried to do this at night, the project costs would be tripled,” Demers said.

But wait, there’s more

As the city tackles the Elm Street project, public works crews will begin their construction repair project of a retaining wall near the Riverwalk area on lower Main Street in Biddeford.

The parking lot at the North Dam Mill on lower Main Street will be closed so that city crews can get equipment in and out of the area.

Demers said the city was able to secure federal funding for the repair project, but said the city needs to move forward because of concerns regarding federal funding for local and state projects.

Delilah Poupore of Heart of Biddeford and Angie Presby of Saco Main Street attended Thursday’s meeting.

Both Poupore and Presby acknowledged that the project will have a significant impact on downtown businesses and downtown events.

“We’ll just have to pivot,” Presby said.

Never miss another update. Subscribe for free today