The mayor mentions that it is time to review the zone ordinance since it has not been updated in nearly 25 years. He refers to a need for clarity on “what is permitted, how impacts are evaluated, and how decisions are made.”
LaFountain adds that the “recently appointed institutional zone review committee will `review the ordinance, gather public input, and recommend whether revisions are warranted.”
Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain
The committee, according to the mayor’s piece, was formed through a “regular public appointment process” and describes the background of the appointees.
His column refers to the possible need to update the ordinance, based [upon] infrastructure influence, traffic patterns, public safety demands and neighborhood character.
While the above is interesting, of greater interest, is what was not mentioned.
Given that this committee Is largely composed of Hills Beach residents, what exactly has been the “regular public appointment process” by which they were nominated? This is not just between Hills Beach and the university; this involves the entire city.
The mayor suggests the need for a comprehensive update referring to infrastructure influence, traffic patterns, public safety demands, and neighborhood character.
Largely missing is mention of the services of a professional city planner with the necessary expertise to balance the needs of the residents, the university and the city at large.
Finally, since it is time to update ordinances to accommodate the needs of our citizens, isn’t it also time to review the accessibility of our beautiful beaches to the residents at large?
All city residents pay taxes not just Hills Beach. These taxes pay for streets and public areas and should be accessible to all.
Those with homes in the most desirable areas of public interest should accommodate the need to share reasonable accessibility with others. The deliberate exclusion of available parking for beach access is reprehensible. It is time to correct this.
[Editor’s Note The city of Biddeford has been working on and deliberating the need to expand public parking opportunities in the city’s coastal neighborhoods over the last several weeks.]
Remove the no parking signs. Provide more public parking for beach accessibility.
If our city government is truly representative of the city at large, this can be done. Do our politicians really represent us? – or is it heavily weighed in favor of a particular group?
Diane Snow, Cumberland, Maine
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The Biddeford Gazette strongly encourages reader feedback and public commentary regarding our coverage and issues directly related to the city of Biddeford. To submit a letter to the editor or guest column, please contact us at biddefordgazette@gmail.com
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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE | A Legacy of Trusted, Independent Journalism
Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain told the Biddeford Gazette early Tuesday afternoon that he is optimistic about his proposal to bring in a temporary consultant to help city staffers and elected leaders address several critical issues that have been plaguing the city for more than two years.
The city council is expected to vote this evening to approve the hiring of Patricia Finnigan, a well-known and highly experienced municipal consultant for a six-month period.
The city of Biddeford continues to grapple with some difficult issues
Finnigan, whose experience includes more than a decade of serving as the city manager in Auburn, also served as the manager in the towns of Ogunquit and Camden; and served as the assistant city manager in Portland, Maine’s largest city.
“She is certainly qualified and up to the task,” LaFountain said during a brief telephone interview.
According to public documents, the city will pay no more than $36,000 for a six-month period in which Finnigan will help develop strategies and recommendations to address issues at City Hall, including long overdue financial audits that could impact the city’s future ability to borrow money.
Other issues the city is facing include a long overdue update of the city’s comprehensive plan and the potential for significant fines if the city is unable to address outstanding sewer separation projects that are mandated by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.
“No one should view this as a lack of confidence in our current staff and their abilities,” LaFountain said. “These issues did not happen overnight, and it is not realistic to think that they can be easily solved after the city’s voters decided it was time for change just a few months ago.”
LaFountain said he wants to ensure that the city has all the resources it needs to finally address problems that have been developing over that last several years.
“No one should view this as a lack of confidence in our current staff and their abilities,”
Bennett, hired by the city in 2015, was a brash and outspoken city leader who left a tangled trail of problems in his wake.
“It’s not just important to fix the problems we’re now facing, it’s also critically important to ensure that we can put systems in place to prevent these problems from ever happening again,” LaFountain said.
LaFountain said that he and every member of the city council is dedicated to the idea of leaving the city in a better place than they found it a little more than 90 days ago.
“We are striving for accountability and transparency,” LaFountain added. “That’s not going to happen without some pain and a thorough examination of what’s needed to right the city’s ship.”
Tonight’s special meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall council chambers.
UPDATE | The full city council voted unanimously Tuesday to hire Finnegan.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR | Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He has been covering Biddeford news and politics for nearly three decades. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE | A Legacy of Trusted, Independent Journalism
The York/Biddeford/Old Orchard Beach Boys Hockey Co-Op hockey team won the state championship today, defeating Hampden Academy 3-2 in a thrilling game at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland.
The team has earned rounds of praise from throughout the Biddeford community, including congratulatory remarks on social media platforms by Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain and School Supt Jeremey Ray.
Below are photos shared with the Gazette from Eric Parent of Biddeford, one of the proud parents who attended today’s game!
The new state champs celebrate with their coaches on the ice (Photo provided by Eric Parent of Biddeford)
Connor Parent (left) celebrates Saturday’s championship win with Goalie Connor Thibault (Photo by Eric Parent)
The Biddeford Fire Department helped the new state champs celebrate (Eric Parent photo)
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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE | A Legacy of Trusted, Independent Journalism
A former Biddeford resident who now lives in Ada, Mich., recently sent an email to the Gazette complaining that we have been “unfair and biased” toward the University of New England.
In his March 6 email, Bernard Roy – a 1971 Biddeford High School graduate – expressed disappointment regarding the Gazette’s coverage of issues connected to UNE.
Roy also expressed outrage that the Gazette “ignored” a letter-to-the-editor he sent to us on Feb. 28, somehow missing the fact that his letter was actually published by the Biddeford Gazette three days later, on March 2, 2026. LETTER | City is Treating UNE Unfairly
Is the Gazette’s coverage of UNE biased?
The Gazette regularly and frequently publishes a high volume of news focused on the city of Biddeford. Thus, it is understandable how Roy could have missed seeing his letter published on our site.
The Gazette strongly encourages and promotes transparency and reader feedback regarding our coverage. Go here to submit your own letter
In the interests of transparency and full disclosure, the Gazette is sharing its unedited emailed response to Mr. Roy today, March 7.
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Dear Mr. Roy,
I would advise you to tread carefully before you accuse me and/or the Biddeford Gazette of any negative “bias” toward the University of New England.
1.) We did, in fact, publish your letter to the editor on Monday, March 2, which coincidentally was my birthday and a very busy news day. Here is the link to your piece in the Gazette: LETTER: City is treating UNE unfairly – BIDDEFORD GAZETTE
2.) I did feel compelled to attach an “editor’s note” to your submission. I know that you grew up in Biddeford and graduated from Biddeford High School (Class of 1971) so I was quite surprised that you would complain about how poorly your sister was treated by parking enforcement at Goose Rocks Beach. Most Biddeford folks know that Goose Rocks Beach is located in the town of Kennebunkport, not in the city of Biddeford. I also was left scratching my head, trying to figure how that particular incident has any bearing on the issue at hand.
Numerous Biddeford residents shared concerns about development at UNE during a March 2, public hearing, the same day that the Gazette published Mr. Roy’s letter to the editor.
3.) Not only did I publish your letter, I also published your sister’s letter — and another guest column from someone else who is equally upset about how “unfairly the city is handling issues connected to UNE.” If you visit the Gazette’s website and simply use the “Search” function, you will find everything we have ever published about the university.
No Apologies
4.) I make absolutely no apologies for being a reporter and for rigorously covering this issue, which has been almost virtually ignored by every other media outlet in southern Maine. In fact, I am often the only reporter covering meetings about UNE, including the very first meeting of the newly formed Institutional Zone Review Committee on February 19, coincidentally my mother’s birthday. New UNE oversight committee begins work – BIDDEFORD GAZETTE
UNE Is a Big Part of Biddeford
5.) Frankly, I do not understand why issues connected to UNE do not receive more attention from other media outlets, besides the Biddeford Gazette. As you, your sister and others have pointed out — the University is a major and vibrant part of the Biddeford community.
The university is one of the city’s largest employers and offers numerous and quite tangible economic benefits to its neighbors throughout the city. Development on UNE’s campus — most notably its proposed and controversial research pier — will have numerous impacts (positive and negative) on the community, from environmental impacts to public recreation on the Saco River and impacts to commercial fishermen who now lease moorings in proximity to the proposed pier. No one from the university has seen fit to return calls or answer questions from these mooring owners. They remain consistently ignored.
Criticism With a Familiar Theme
6.) Your recent letter has somewhat familiar fingerprints. The same recurring themes — and almost verbatim language — have been used repeatedly to criticize the city. It almost feels as if it’s part of a coordinated attack. You, your sister and others should relax. Despite being told repeatedly that the recent, temporary moratorium on development at UNE’s Biddeford campus has absolutely no bearing on the St. Joseph’s Convent — located roughly two miles away from the campus main entrance — that issue has become a red herring that you and others are trying to exploit. As a Catholic, I find such a move to be offensive.
City of Biddeford is Being Fair to UNE
7.) When he decided to establish a new committee to comprehensively review and evaluate potential changes to UNE’s master plan (last updated nearly a quarter century ago), Mayor Liam LaFountain took great pains to be fair. In fact, his first pick for the committee was Dr. James Herbert, the university’s president. All of the IZ Review meetings are held publicly, televised, and available to watch online. The media and all citizens have complete and unfettered access to the committee’s work and comments. Does this really strike you as unfair, or somehow nefarious?
The Gazette’s Real Relationship with UNE
UNE students help with dune grass restorationUNE students help string downtown holiday lights
8.) It should be noted that I have a friendly, cordial and cooperative relationship with UNE, including its leadership team and members of its communications department including both Vice President Alan Thibeault and Sarah Delage, the university’s senior spokesperson. Over the past few weeks, the Gazette has published several “news releases” sent to us by the university, including a recent announcement about students helping to restore dune grass: COMMUNITY NEWS – BIDDEFORD GAZETTE
9.) I was recently invited to have lunch on UNE’s campus by Dr. Michael Cripps, a professor at UNE’s School of Arts and Humanities. Dr. Cripps and I had a thoroughly enjoyable discussion that culminated with a conversation about having UNE students who are interested in journalism and communications serve as unpaid interns with the Biddeford Gazette. Do you suppose Dr. Cripps was aware of my horrific bias toward the university when he bought me lunch? (In fairness, I only had a salad).
UNE President Dr. James Herbert was appointed by Mayor LaFountain to serve on a new committee tasked with reviewing development on the Biddeford campus
News, Not Public Relations
10.) Yes, I have covered UNE rigorously. There is absolutely no question that the Gazette has taken a leadership role in ensuring rigorous public conversation and overview of these important issues in our community. I am aware that my reporting has perhaps made some folks connected to UNE feel disquieted or otherwise uncomfortable. Tough cookies. I am a journalist, not a PR hack for the university. You may be interested to know that my reporting on these issues has earned accolades and praise from many of colleagues across the state of Maine.
Shoreline Buffer Concerns Are Not Random
Mayor Liam LaFountain is bending over backward to be fair to UNE
11.) Concerns about the “buffer” that will be impacted by the pier have been shared by Mayor LaFountain and each and every member of the Biddeford City Council who voted unanimously to seek relief on that issue in York County Superior Court, an argument supported by City Attorney Harry B. Center, esq. Hardly “random grievances” from one man, who happens to be the former chair of Biddeford’s Harbor Commission
As with everything I publish on the Biddeford Gazette website, I am completely comfortable with my fair, reasonable and dogged approach to covering important issues. If you have a problem with that, I invite you to send us another letter to the editor.
Cheers,
Randy Seaver, editor
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR | Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He has been covering Biddeford news and politics for nearly three decades. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE | A Legacy of Trusted, Independent Journalism
Brian Phinney — Biddeford’s former chief operating officer, who also served several months as acting city manager – is today retired “and enjoying it,” but wants to make sure that the current city council will be using correct information at their next meeting, especially regarding materials that contain his signature
Phinney, who retired in January, recently sent a letter to Mayor Liam LaFountain, City Manager Truc Dever and each member of the city council to provide detailed information about an item that the city council is scheduled to consider at tonight’s (March 3, 2026) meeting,
In order to “ensure accuracy,” Phinney also sent a copy of his letter to the Biddeford Gazette and copied Finance Director Gerry Matherne and City Clerk Robin Patterson on his correspondence to provide “verification” of his statement in case questions are raised at tonight’s meeting.
Former Acting City Manager Brian Phinney (center) listens as former Mayor Marty Grohman reads an item during a 2025 council meeting. City Clerk Robin Patterson is seated at Phinney’s right side. (Seaver photo)
Clarifying the city’s audit process
Specifically, Phinney wants to ensure that the council has historical details regarding the city’s FY 2024 audit related to the possible hiring of CBIZ, an accounting firm, that the council is considering for conducting the overdue audit.
The council will be asked whether to approve spending $103,000 to conduct the audit, including both the city and school department.
Phinney says the city is on the verge of a “duplicate” approval.
“The executive summary section states that this is a retroactive approval and discusses compliance with the purchasing policy rules as the basis for the retroactive approval,” Phinney wrote in his message to the council.
“[This] item was brought to the Finance Committee for discussion on Tuesday, September 2, 2025 in the Other Business section [of the meeting] and was subsequently approved by the full council, unanimously, that same evening.”
Phinney suggested that council members review the video transcript of the Finance Committee’s Sept 2, 2025 meeting, suggesting that current city officials to the video time stamp of 22 minutes, 58 seconds.
“At [that] meeting, Gerry Matherne is asked by Mayor LaFountain (at that time, council president) to provide an update,” Phinney said. “She [Matherne] did and the committee members asked questions.
“Funding was discussed as coming from the city’s audit account with an understanding that the expense would exceed the budgeted amount,” Phinney wrote. “This is the same account that is referenced in the March 3 [council] packet.”
Phinney points out that then Council President LaFountain made a motion to forward the item to city council for approval based on the dollar amount.
The motion passed unanimously (Lafountain, Beaupre, Lessard), Phinney noted, emphasizing that item was listed in the Finance Committee’s packet under Other Business as a discussion item.
The Finance Committee, Phinney said, voted on the item and advanced it to the council agenda.
Later that same evening (Sept. 2, 2025) – during the City Council meeting — Mayor Marty Grohman made an adjustment to the agenda, adding the item at the request of the Finance Committee, Phinney wrote, again suggesting that councilors watch the video transcript of that meeting, beginning at timestamp 7 minutes, 55 seconds.
“The item was discussed at timestamp 30 minutes, 28 seconds,” Phinney wrote, adding that the vote of the full council was unanimous. “Because this item was advanced by the Finance Committee the Order was created in series after the fact.
Phinney says the he signed the CBIZ agreement later that evening, but only after Finance Committee and City Council approval — and in full compliance with the purchasing rules in effect at that time.
“I am bringing this to your attention so that you do not waste time at the meeting duplicating previous approvals,” Phinney wrote. “And [I want] to ensure that the record accurately reflects the conditions supporting my signature.”
Following the city council’s decision to suddenly remove former City Manager James Bennett from office, Phinney served as Biddeford’s acting city manager from Feb. 20, 2025, until City Manager Truc Dever began her duties in August 2025.
Correction: In an earlier version of this story, we indicated that Phinney served as the city’s chief financial officer. That is incorrect. Phinney — in addition to briefly serving as acting city manager — was Biddeford’s chief operating officer. We apologize for the error.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR | Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He has been covering Biddeford news and politics for nearly three decades. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE | A Legacy of Trusted, Independent Journalism
I understand there is a moratorium on UNE initiated by the mayor and city council. UNE is an institution that is a huge plus for Biddeford. They hire professionals as professors, adjunct professors and administrators who live in our community. More importantly, UNE educates young people from Maine who aspire to better themselves and get good paying jobs.
In addition, UNE provides jobs for residents from Biddeford and surrounding areas to maintain the building, grounds and services. UNE is not a burden to residents of Biddeford.
The Portland Press Herald had an article (Biddeford Committee plans public hearing, Feb. 24, 2026) about the moratorium, which revealed the hidden agenda for this moratorium.
It appears the Hills Beach residents want to constrain development and growth of UNE. They are more interested in keeping people out and the coastline to themselves for nothing more than selfish reasons.
Biddeford has failed to provide public parking at every beach in Biddeford for all the residents. When I drive through Biddeford Pool these days, I noticed all the places I had parked to go scuba diving when I was in high school are now blocked or have no parking signs, essentially keeping city residents out.
The Biddeford City Council recently enacted a six-month moratorium on continued development at the University of New England’s Biddeford campus to allow city officials and a new subcommittee time to review and recommend potential changes
If you drive to Goose Rocks Beach, you are welcomed with a sign that says, “welcome to Goose Rocks Beach, no parking on any street any time”. When you drive through, you can see a beautiful beach near the road.
Most of the time there are very few people on the beach. But there is no public parking anywhere. Instead, you find a pseudo security guard following you to make sure you leave. He essentially chases you out.
My sister stopped there last year to show her daughter the beach and was rewarded very quickly with a parking ticket. I thought, here I am a resident of Biddeford and could not go to one of our beaches.
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Editor’s Note:Goose Rocks Beach is located in and controlled by the town of Kennebunkport, not Biddeford)
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Driving through, I noticed most of the license plates are from out of state. Is this where Hills Beach is going to not provide any public parking?
We see our coastline being bought up by many who are from out of state and moving to Maine to retire. If you read the Portland Press Herald article on February 18, Maine has become the oldest state, where people over 65 outnumber the people under 18 in Maine.
It is one thing to buy up the coastline, but another when these people do whatever they can to prevent Maine residents from accessing the beaches in order to keep the coastline to themselves. I have 22 nieces and nephews and only two still reside in Maine. The others all had to go out of state to find good paying professional jobs.
If you watch the video of the public hearing meeting just before the city council voted for the moratorium, you will see there was absolutely no interest of any city council member to listen to public inputs. They were simply going through the motions and had their minds made up.
It will be interesting to see if the public hearing meeting (March 2) will be a repeat of that or whether anyone on the city council will listen to public inputs and take them into account.
Council members should be representing all city residents, not just a handful in Hills Beach.
When one sees the committee made up of three city council members who live in Hills Beach and Patricia Boston, a Hills Beach resident heading up the committee, there is little faith they will do their job of representing all residents of Biddeford, but more for their own benefit.
I believe this committee is a serious conflict of interest and unethical. I hope the mayor and other city council members choose to do that right and just thing and abandon this moratorium.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:Bernard Roy is a former Biddeford resident, and 1971 graduated of Biddeford High School. Today, he resides in Ada, Michigan
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NOTE: The Biddeford Gazette strongly encourages reader feedback and public commentary regarding our coverage and issues directly related to the city of Biddeford. To submit a letter to the editor or guest column, please contact us at biddefordgazette@gmail.com
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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE | A Legacy of Trusted, Independent Journalism
On Monday, March 2 at 6 p.m., the Institutional Zone Review Committee will hold its first public hearing at City Hall. The meeting begins the public input phase of a broader review of how Biddeford regulates institutional development.
For many residents, the term “Institutional Zone” may not be familiar. In practical terms, it is the zoning framework that governs development at the University of New England’s Biddeford campus.
UNE’s campus sits largely within an area that, under typical zoning rules, is generally limited to single-family houses.
In 2001, the city created a dedicated zoning district to allow the university to build and grow in ways that no other entity could within that setting. The ordinance established a structured process requiring a comprehensive Institutional Master Plan, a document outlining anticipated growth over five to ten years and analyzing impacts on traffic, parking, infrastructure, municipal services, and campus design standards.
Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain, City of Biddeford photo
The University of New England has long been an important part of Biddeford’s civic and economic fabric. It is one of the city’s largest employers and contributes to the local economy, research activity and cultural life.
Students, faculty, and staff are neighbors and active participants in Biddeford. The relationship between Biddeford and UNE has evolved over time, shaped by growth on both sides.
The City’s zoning has long provided a clear pathway for institutional growth. However, the Institutional Zone ordinance has not been comprehensively updated in nearly 25 years. As both the university and the city have evolved, it is reasonable to review whether that framework remains aligned with current conditions and future expectations.
In recent years, several development projects within the Institutional Zone have generated strong reactions. Often, disagreements have centered less on whether development should occur and more on how clearly the ordinance defines what is permitted, how impacts are evaluated, and how decisions are made. When expectations among the university, the city, and residents are not fully aligned, even well-intended projects can become contentious.
That context, in part, led the city council to establish the Institutional Zone Review Committee at the beginning of this council term.
The committee serves in an advisory capacity. It does not approve projects, determine property sales, or make final legislative decisions. Its responsibility is to review the ordinance, gather public input, and recommend whether revisions are warranted. Any proposed changes will proceed through the standard public legislative process before the Planning Board and City Council.
Formed through the regular public appointment process, the committee operates in open session under Maine’s Freedom of Access laws. All members are Biddeford residents. The membership includes two city councilors, the president of the University of New England, the president of the Hills Beach Neighborhood Association, a facilities manager who previously worked for UNE and is a UNE graduate, and a local real estate professional. Together, they reflect a range of civic, professional, and neighborhood perspectives within the city.
Meetings are open to the public, materials are posted online, and the process is structured to ensure transparency, accountability, and broad participation before any ordinance changes are considered.
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The process is structured to ensure transparency, accountability,
and broad participation before any ordinance changes are considered.
As part of this review, the City Council adopted a temporary six-month moratorium on new institutional development and university uses. The pause is not directed at any single proposal and does not prohibit the purchase or sale of property within the Institutional Zone, nor does it prevent any property owner, including the University of New England, from entering into a real estate transaction.
It applies only to new development activity or changes of use during the review period, allowing the city to evaluate and, if necessary, update the ordinance before additional projects proceed under standards that may soon change.
Zoning ordinances shape municipalities for decades, influencing infrastructure investments, traffic patterns, public safety demands and neighborhood character.
Recent institutional projects have underscored the need for clearer expectations and a more consistent and transparent framework. As public interest has grown, so too has the expectation that development decisions be predictable and participatory. Reviewing the ordinance openly and deliberately is a responsible step toward that goal.
Public comment from Biddeford residents on March 2 and in the months ahead will help inform this work and strengthen the final recommendations. The objective is a regulatory framework that provides clarity, consistency, and confidence as institutional growth continues in Biddeford.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Liam LaFountain is serving his first term as Mayor of Biddeford and previously served two terms on the Biddeford City Council. He welcomes questions, comments, and ideas and can be contacted directly at liam.lafountain@biddefordmaine.org. The views and opinions herein are solely those of the author.
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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE | A Legacy of Trusted, Independent Journalism
Weighted UNE committee is appalling and patently unfair to UNE
By DIANE SNOW, Special to the Gazette
A recent Portland Press Herald story regarding the committee set up to review the plans for University of New England [Biddeford Committee plans public hearing, Feb. 24, 2026] left me appalled because the committee is comprised primarily by Hills Beach residents.
That the chairman of the committee [Councilor Patricia Boston] is a Hills Beach resident was surprising enough. Now to find out that three of the six committee members are Hills Beach residents, was not just surprising, it was shocking.
How can anyone expect an honest and objective assessment when the “plaintiffs” have become the “jury”?
This issue affects not just the residents of Hills Beach; it affects the entire community.
The university is a major prize in Biddeford. Most cities would give their right arm for this privilege.
A more disturbing question: Whose welfare do our elected officials represent? The wealthy beachfront residents or the community at large?
Members of the newly former Institutional Zone Review Committee held their first meeting on Feb. 19, 2026. The committee’s first public hearing will be held on Monday, March 2, beginning at 6 p.m., at City Hall in Biddeford (Gazette photo)
That the Hills Beach residents wield outsized power is clear. How long has this been going on? Do we need to remind city officials that the taxes in the city are paid by all property owners, not just the beachfront owners?
There is plenty of real estate in vacant mills that need interested entrepreneurs willing to establish flourishing businesses. A university, with its educational and cultural benefits, is a major attraction.
____________
The university is a major prize in Biddeford. Most cities would give their right arm for this privilege.
_____________
Impeding the progress of UNE is harmful to Biddeford. This outsized influence of a small, privileged group has also clarified the means by which beach access has become so restrictive.
Has anyone noticed how difficult it is to access our beaches? I once received a parking ticket at Goose Rocks beach when I stopped there to give a young girl from New York City — who was staying with us through the Fresh Air Fund — a chance to put her feet in the ocean for the first time.
The beauty of the world does not only belong to a select privileged group.
The mayor and city councilors were elected to represent the interests of the entire community, not just a single group.
It is time to address this travesty. Citizens of Biddeford, know whose interests your elected officials represent. Let them know of your concerns, and above all, think carefully next time you are at the polls.
Diane Snow was born and raised in Biddeford. Today, she lives in Cumberland, Maine
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NOTE: The Biddeford Gazette strongly encourages reader feedback and public commentary regarding our coverage and issues directly related to the city of Biddeford. To submit a letter to the editor or guest column, please contact us at biddefordgazette@gmail.com
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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE | A Legacy of Trusted, Independent Journalism
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.
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Mr. Center’s blood runs
black and orange; and
that should count for something.
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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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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE | A Legacy of Trusted, Independent Journalism
The first meeting of Biddeford’s revived Institutional Zone Review (IZR) Committee was held Thursday evening, giving members a chance to introduce themselves and to complete several organizational and administrative tasks, including scheduling their first public hearing.
The committee was launched earlier this year, at the direction of Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain who attended Thursday’s meeting as an observer.
Members of the newly formed Institutional Zone Review Committee begin their work during their first meeting Thursday. Left to right: Betsy Martin, Christine Stone, Matt Haas, Dr. James Herbert, Chair Patricia Boston and Code Enforcement Officer Roby Fecteau (Seaver photo)
The mission of the committee is to review planning documents that have been submitted by the University of New England over the last 20 years; to seek public input and make recommendations regarding future growth at the school’s Biddeford campus.
From the public podium, LaFountain spoke only briefly to welcome and thank the committee members for their willingness to “dig deep” into issues that will likely impact the city and the University of New England.
“You have taken on an ambitious timeline,” LaFountain told the committee, reminding them that the city hopes to receive their preliminary recommendations in May for city council review and input.
The final recommendations are expected for a public hearing in July, LaFountain said.
“The council will rely upon your diligence and judgment,” LaFountain told the committee. “What matters most is that you approach this work respectfully and thoughtfully and encourage public input and feedback.”
On that note – following a rather arduous process of coordinating various schedules and available meeting times at City Hall – the new committee tentatively scheduled its first public hearing for Monday, March 2, at 6 p.m.
The committee is scheduled to have at least two more meetings before the first public hearing.
Nearly a quarter-century ago, a previous IZR committee was tasked with similar objectives.
City Councilor Pat Boston, a Hills Beach resident, is serving as chair of the current committee. She recalled serving on the first IZR Committee in 2001.
“I recently came across a note from [former mayor] Donna Dion, thanking us for our service,” Boston laughed.
Thursday’s meeting was sparsely attended by members of the public.
John Shafer – an outspoken critic of the university’s controversial pier proposal – sat in the back of the room, carefully watching the meeting. UNE vice president Alan Thibault also attended the meeting along with City Planner David Galbraith and City Manager Truc Dever.
For more information about the Institutional Zone Review Committee, you may visit the committee’s webpage, which is a section of the city’s larger website.
In addition to Councilor Boston, other committee members include City Councilor Marc Lessard; Dr. James Herbert, the university’s president; Matt Haas, a former UNE employee and graduate; Christina Stone, a real estate agent and Hills Beach resident; and Associate member Elizabeth Martin of Biddeford.
Lessard did not attend Thursday’s meeting.
Code Enforcement Officer Roby Fecteau will serve as the committee’s staff liaison.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He has been covering Biddeford news and politics for nearly three decades. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE | A Legacy of Trusted, Independent Journalism
City Councilor Marc Lessard falls on his own sword by saying he is partly responsible for some of the city’s ongoing financial problems
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor
Tuesday’s meeting of the Biddeford City Council’s Finance Committee made one fact abundantly clear.
The city is still struggling to clean up the damage done over the last few years by a Finance Department that was beleaguered by rapid staff turnover and minimal supervision from city leaders.
“You can spread the blame around like peanut butter,” said City Councilor Marc Lessard during a telephone interview with the Gazette on Wednesday.
“But you know what?” Lessard stated. “I’m partly responsible for the problem.”
Council President Roger Beaupre and Mayor Liam LaFountain discuss the city’s finances during Tuesday’s Finance Committee meeting about upcoming sewer work. (Seaver photo)
The city’s ongoing financial problems were raised again Tuesday evening when Finance Committee members took up the subject of how to pay for another state-mandated sewer update project.
The city is currently trying to catch-up on several of its long overdue financial audits. The city is now working to finalize the FY 2024 audit, now more than two years overdue.
The problem impacts the city in numerous ways, most notably preventing city departments from accessing bond funds that were approved by voters.
In November, voters approved a $20 million bond to complete long overdue sewer updates that are mandated by the state of Maine.
Last year’s major project on Elm Street was paid for from money in the city’s general fund versus an account that is replenished by sewer fee revenues.
That situation put Public Works Director Jeff Demers in an uncomfortable position. When he asked the former city manager about the lack of funds for the project, he was told to move forward and that funding for the project would come from another line item in the budget.
“I did what I was told,” Demers told the committee. “I took my marching orders, but I’ve lost sleep over it.”
Lessard – a member of the committee — asked how that decision to move funds around impacted other parts of the city’s budget.
“If we took $4.1 million from one part of the budget – roughly 5 percent of our budget – what item or work didn’t get funded?” Lessard asked.
City Manager Truc Dever said city staff is working overtime to sort out numerous issues that took place over the past few years, in addition to performing all of their current day-to-day responsibilities.
Although Mayor Liam LaFountain rang alarm bells about the situation, describing it as a “DEFCON 1 financial scenario,” he also offered at least one point for optimism during a follow-up conversation with the Gazette on Wednesday.
“We are doing everything possible to regain public trust and confidence in City Hall,” LaFountain said. “It’s nearly impossible to fix everything that took place over several years in just a few months.”
More importantly, LaFountain noted that the conversation – although difficult and somewhat concerning – took place in a public meeting with cameras rolling and members of the press in the room as opposed to “a couple guys meeting in an office behind closed doors.
LaFountain was able to oust former Mayor Marty Grohman in November by using a campaign pledge to bring “accountability and transparency” back to City Hall.
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“It’s nearly impossible to fix
all of these problems
in just a few months.”
— Mayor Liam LaFountain
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“It may not seem like it on the surface, but we are moving in the right direction,” LaFountain said. “It’s frustrating, but we now have the right people in place to help us in our overall course correction.”
Lessard said he was also feeling frustrated.
“There’s plenty of blame to go around,” he said. “And frankly part of that responsibility lies at my feet.”
Lessard – a veteran member of the council – said that, in retrospect, he should have pushed harder for accountability and transparency.
“There were many times when we allowed the former city manager and others to skirt, delay or obfuscate the issues,” he said. “That should not have happened, and I have to accept my own share of responsibility for that, even though that’s not what most politicians do.”
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He has been covering Biddeford news and politics for nearly three decades. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE |A Legacy of Trusted, Independent Journalism
Despite some misinformation floating about on social media, the Biddeford City Council did not vote Tuesday against funding for emergency shelters to assist unhoused residents.
Instead, the council took up a resolution introduced by Mayor Liam LaFountain to express support for a bill now being considered by the Maine Legislature.
The bill – LD 2124 – would change how some county tax revenues are used. The proposed legislation calls for shifting revenue generated by real estate transfer taxes to a fund that could be used to help municipalities offset the cost of providing emergency services to unhoused residents.
Before debating the proposed resolution, the council heard testimony from Richard Dutremble of Biddeford, the current chair of the York County Commissioners.
“We are totally against this,” Dutremble told the council, saying the transfer of county revenues to the state’s coffers for new spending would ultimately hurt individual cities and towns in York County.
County Commissioner Richard Dutremble addresses the Biddeford City Council. (Seaver photo)
“This will decrease our revenue and impact our ability to provide services,” Dutremble told the council. “If this bill passes, it will have an immediate impact on our communities. We’ll have to make up that budget loss by asking for additional tax money from communities such as Biddeford.”
“Once again, people in Augusta are trying to extract more money from the counties,” Dutremble said, noting that the county does provide funding for unhoused services.
One of the bill’s co-sponsors is State Rep. Ryan Fecteau of Biddeford, the Speaker of the House.
City Councilor Dylan Doughty — Fecteau’s domestic partner — asked permission to abstain from discussion or voting on the issue because of what could be perceived as a conflict of interest.
Doughty’s recusal set the stage for a 4-4 split on whether to vote in support of the legislative resolution.
LaFountain told the council that the city’s legislative delegation – including State Representatives Marc Malon and Traci Gere, along with State Sen. Henry Ingwersen – are all supporting the bill.
LaFountain serves on a group known as the Mayors Coalition, an advocacy group made up of the state’s 11 mayors, including Saco Mayor Jodi MacPhail and the mayors of Portland, Lewiston, Westbrook, South Portland, Bangor and others.
That coalition, LaFountain said, is supporting the bill.
Following rigorous debate and questions about the bill’s potential impacts on county government and Biddeford taxpayers, the council split evenly on whether to approve the expression of support for LD 2124.
Councilors Roger Beaupre, Brad Cote, David Kurtz and Abigail Woods voted to support the legislative resolution.
Councilors Patricia Boston, Marc Lessard, Jacob Pierson and Lisa Vadnais voted against supporting the resolution.
Councilor Doughty abstained from voting.
By council rules, the mayor only votes when the council is tied.
LaFountain – who supported the resolution – said he felt compelled to vote against the measure since it did not receive a majority vote of the council.
“This is a strange position to be in,” the mayor laughed.
During a follow-up interview, the mayor said residents should contact their state representatives to express support or concerns about the bill.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He has been covering Biddeford news and politics for nearly three decades. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE |A Legacy of Trusted, Independent Journalism
In the very crowded race to become Maine’s next governor, former State Sen. Rick Bennett is hoping to stand out as an Independent candidate who is ready to tackle tough issues with a common-sense approach and a commitment to people rather than any political party.
Bennett, 62, brought his campaign to Biddeford on Saturday, at the height of the city’s annual WinterFest celebration.
Rick Bennett — one of five Independent candidates hoping to become Maine’s next governor — visited Biddeford and said the state’s leaders need to stop bickering and worrying about political affiliation. “The system is broken,” he said. “We need to focus on solutions.” (Seaver photo)
So far – according to the Maine Secretary of State’s office – there are seven declared Democratic candidates hoping to win the June primary and 10 Republicans running for their party’s nomination.
Bennett is one of five independents who are hoping to gain support and build a coalition from both sides of the political aisle.
Bennett is the most well-known of the five Independent candidates and leads that field in fundraising, raising nearly $530,000 for his campaign so far. His closest challenger, State Rep. Ed Crockett of Portland, has raised just shy of $10,000 for his campaign.
A former president of the Maine Senate, Bennett has a long history of public service that dates back to the early 1980s. As a teenager, he volunteered on various political campaigns and participated in the YMCA’s Model Legislature program, in which young people attend a three-day conference to learn about how the Legislature works and how ideas become state laws.
Bennett was elected to the Maine House of Representatives, representing the town of Norway in 1990 and was unopposed for a second term.
He didn’t wait long to jump onto the national scene. In 1994, he became the Republican nominee for Congress in Maine’s second district, narrowly losing the general election to John Baldacci, 46-41 percent with two other candidates in the race.
In 1996, Bennett was elected to the Maine State Senate where he later became senate president.
Described as a successful business innovator, Bennett served as chair of Maine’s Republican Party from 2013 to 2017.
Today, he says, Maine needs political leaders who are not focused on political affiliation.
His campaign website paints a picture of a man with a long history of reaching across the political aisle to achieve legislative goals in environmental leadership, consumer protection and campaign finance reform.
Bennett co-sponsored several laws targeting toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” and reforming Maine’s solid waste and recycling practices. He was an outspoken opponent of the “CMP Corridor” project and sought to end foreign ownership of Maine’s electric utilities. He also sponsored legislation to end “predatory practices” by payday lenders.
The candidate enjoys Winterfest
We met with Bennett and his wife, Karen, at the home of Biddeford resident Jason Briggs, a well-known community volunteer and local Republican leader.
While touring the Makers Market, Bennett couldn’t resist picking up some treats from Tabarek Alabbooti from Amira Cuisine in Biddeford. (Seaver photo)
Briggs described Bennett as “the real deal,” pointing out that they have known each other for nearly 40 years.
When asked why he is not running as a Republican, Bennett didn’t hesitate with his response. “Our government is broken, and political parties are a big part of the problem,” he said.
Bennett said partisan politics are becoming increasingly divisive in Maine, a rural state that is well-known for its hard-working, down-to-earth populace.
“Both parties have become very strident, focusing more on partisan bickering than the needs of Maine people,” Bennett said.
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“Our government is broken,
and political parties are
a big part of the problem.”
— Rick Bennett
_____________________
When asked what he believes are the top issues facing Maine residents, Bennett pointed to skyrocketing and “outrageous” energy costs, underperforming public schools and a statewide housing crisis.
“These are issues that need and deserve a collaborative approach,” Bennett said. “We’re a small state. We know each other and take care of our neighbors. We need to find a better way forward.”
Bennett – who shared the Maine Senate President’s office with Democrat Mike Michaud when the senate was briefly evenly split – said today too many legislators are afraid to pick up the phone and talk to their peers on the other side of the aisle.
“We cannot afford to see bipartisanship as a weakness,” Bennett said. “The people of Maine have real needs, and they deserve a better approach.”
Bennett received a warm response as he toured Biddeford’s downtown area during the WinterFest celebration.
He spoke briefly with both Mayor Liam LaFountain and City Councilor Jake Pierson, telling them “we’re all in this together” and that local leaders play an important role in Maine’s future.
Rick Bennett (right) shares a laugh with Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain during Saturday’s Winterfest celebration in downtown Biddeford. Both men agreed that city and state governments need to be “solutions-focused.” (Seaver photo)
Bennett said he was “blown away” by the revitalization of the city’s downtown area, including the business incubator concept being used in the city’s former textile mill buildings.
“What’s happening here is really exciting,” Bennett said while touring the Makers Market event in the former Pepperell Mill building.
But Bennett wasn’t the only gubernatorial candidate visiting Biddeford on Saturday. Democrat Dr. Nirav Shah was also touring the Pepperell Mill building on Saturday.
“I think we can both agree that this is a pretty awesome community event,” Bennett told Shah.
“You are absolutely correct about that,” Shah replied with a big smile.
If elected as governor, Bennett said one of his first moves will be to convene a weekly “Legislative Leadership” dinner meeting with legislative leaders from both parties.
“We need to break bread together, and work together to develop meaningful solutions,” Bennett said. “That’s what people want us to do. That’s the Maine tradition.”
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
You may view and learn more about our editorial standards and policies here:
The Biddeford City Council finally got the chance Tuesday to discuss a controversial parking plan that has raised questions and eyebrows about city spending procedures.
One councilor described the project as a significant breach of city procedures, but another councilor described the $20,000 project as “small potatoes,” when compared to other issues facing the city.
The Biddeford City Council took up several issues Tuesday night, including discussion about a controversial parking program that was launched last year (Seaver photo)
The temporary parking plan is no longer in place. It was designed to help struggling downtown businesses by providing them and their employees free parking during a major sewer construction project last year in the downtown area.
The city spent roughly $20,000 over a five-month period to fund the program. It was designed to be “net neutral,” transferring money from an account the city uses for subsidizing bi-annual payments to the company that operates the Pearl Street parking garage.
Councilor Brad Cote blasted the program and the city’s former mayor, saying he was outraged about how it was funded and implemented.
“This was done without the approval or knowledge of the Finance Committee or the city council,” Cote said. “This was a one-man show, and it was shooting from the hip. I think it’s awful and insulting to taxpayers.”
In December, Mayor Liam LaFountain – the former council president and chair of the finance committee — said he was flabbergasted when he first learned about the program months after it had been launched.
LaFountain then asked City Attorney Harry Center to investigate the issue. In his Jan. 3 memo to the mayor and city council, Center raised concerns about the program’s “process.”
But Councilor Jake Pierson said the issue is relatively benign.
“I think we’re making a mountain out of a molehill here,” Pierson said. “I guess I don’t understand the outrage. I see this as a waste of our energy and city resources.
“When we look at all the other issues facing the city, I see this as small potatoes,” Pierson added.
Councilor Marc Lessard – an outspoken critic of former mayor Marty Grohman – said his concerns were rooted in the process used behind the program’s funding.
“It was incorrectly done,” Lessard said, pointing out that the former mayor “lobbied hard” last year for a 35 percent increase to the Heart of Biddeford’s annual funding request.
The Heart of Biddeford – a non-profit downtown booster organization – coordinated the parking program, providing outreach and information to downtown businesses.
“This is yet just another example of mismanagement,” Lessard said. “It was swept under the rug, and it should have never happened.”
In order to reconcile the city’s accounting ledgers and prepare for future financial audits, the council voted 7-1 (Cote) to retroactively approve the project and redirect the expenditures from a different account in the city’s budget.
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
Finance Committee takes a closer look at how a downtown parking plan was funded
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor
A controversial and temporary downtown parking program will be reviewed by the Biddeford City Council at its next meeting, Feb. 3.
As first reported in the Biddeford Gazette earlier this week, Mayor Liam LaFountain and members of the city council were unaware that nearly $20,000 was being spent to offset parking costs for business owners and their employees during a seven-month long sewer upgrade project in the downtown area.
The parking plan was never reviewed or discussed by the city council or Finance Committee before it was launched last year, but the subject dominated Tuesday’s Finance Committee meeting, which raised new questions and drew a sharp rebuke from City Councilor Marc Lessard.
Biddeford’s Pearl Street Parking Garage (City photo)
Subsequent to the Jan. 19 story, the Biddeford Gazette conducted additional interviews and filed a FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request for more information, much of which was discussed during Tuesday’s meeting.
City Attorney Harry Center told the Finance Committee that he was “troubled” by how the plan was implemented.
“I’m not a CPA. I’m not an auditor, but it troubles me as a lawyer regarding how the [invoices] were characterized as professional/consulting services,” Center said.
City Manager Truc Dever told committee members that the plan was envisioned to be “net neutral” and would not add additional spending beyond the ongoing subsidy payments that the city gives to the city’s parking garage operators, Premium Parking.
According to Dever, the city makes two payments each year to the parking garage owners so that they are guaranteed a profit — an agreement the city made years ago to entice developers to build the parking garage on city-owned land.
The most recent payment to Premium Parking was $146,570 to cover the period from July 1 to Dec. 31, 2025.
Brad Favreau, the city economic development coordinator, said that Brian Phinney – then the acting city manager – assured him that the program would be revenue neutral. He said it was Phinney who decided which account would be used to make the payments.
Phinney retired from the city earlier this month.
Favreau told the committee that former mayor Marty Grohman approved the project after some discussion between Grohman, Phinney, Favreau and Delilah Poupore, executive director of the Heart of Biddeford, a private downtown booster organization.
Favreau said only 43 downtown employees took advantage of the program.
Dever — who began her job weeks after the parking program was launched –described the program as “well-intentioned” and said no one tried to keep it a secret.
Dever said flyers about the program were made and distributed and it was posted on the city’s website and discussed during a May 28 meeting of the Downtown Development Commission (DDC).
Poupore told the Gazette that her organization was aggressive in raising awareness about the program and that she and Favreau both handed out flyers to merchants throughout the downtown area.
Former city councilor Neva (Gross) Lance served as the city council’s liaison on the DDC. She told the Gazette on Wednesday that she recalled “some vague discussion” but no official decision or approval was made at that May 28 meeting.
Councilor Lessard – a member of the Finance Committee – said it does not matter if the program was well intentioned.
“The fact that this was done during the city’s election cycle makes me raise my eyebrows,” Lessard said. “If this program was so good, it would have been brought to the council.
“Instead, it was buried in an innocuous budget line. Call me a little bit crazy, but I’m not so ready to say that there is nothing wrong with this. I’m not ready to hold hands and sing Kumbaya,” Lessard said.
Councilor Dylan Doughty said he was concerned that the program was being funded by TIF (Tax Increment Finance) funds, which are strictly regulated.
“As a whole, we have committed ourselves to accountability and transparency,” Doughty said, adding that he thinks the city should take a closer look at how all TIF funds are being used to ensure that the city doesn’t end up in a “questionable position.”
__________
“The fact that this was done during the city’s election cycle
makes me raise my eyebrows.”
— Councilor Marc Lessard
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Mayor LaFountain told the committee he shares their concerns about how the program was launched and operated.
“My concern is not the intentions of the program,” LaFountain said. “We’re just coming off the review of a FY 23 audit that was quite scathing. When we go down this route, we lose public confidence.”
LaFountain told the city manager he would like to see plans and policies put in place to prevent another similar event. “It doesn’t matter who is sitting in these seats,” the mayor said. “We have process failures that we need to correct.”
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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.) 2026 All Rights Reserved
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Despite the impassioned pleas of some nuns from the St. Joseph’s Convent, the Biddeford City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to enact a temporary development moratorium on the University of New England’s Biddeford campus.
As previously reported in the Gazette, Mayor Liam LaFountain proposed the moratorium and the creation of an ad-hoc committee in order to give the city time and flexibility to review and consider several significant developments planned by the university.
Although not located on their campus, it was recently revealed that the university had ongoing plans to purchase the St. Joseph’s Convent in order to redevelop that property into additional student housing. The convent is located approximately two miles west of UNE’s main campus.
Representatives from the Good Sheperd Sisters of Quebec – the current convent owners — attended Tuesday’s meeting, saying the proposed moratorium would quash their planned sale of the convent to UNE. That sale, according to the Sisters, has been in consideration since 2017 and was scheduled to be finalized next month.
The Sisters said they can no longer afford to operate the convent. They said the moratorium would be “devastating psychologically, physically and spiritually.”
During their discussion of the issue, Councilor Jake Pierson pointed out that the moratorium would do “nothing to prevent the sale of that property.” The moratorium, he said, would only pause the university’s planned redevelopment of the property.
Although the university does not yet own the St. Joseph’s parcel, they already received approval of their reconversion plan from the Saco River Corridor Commission in November.
The St, Joseph’s Convent in Biddeford is slated to become more student housing for UNE
Former city councilor Kyle Noble told the council that UNE is pushing for projects that would be “once in a lifetime, forever decisions” that warrant careful review.
“I find it offensive that this real estate transaction has been known since 2017, and we’re just finding out about it now,” Noble said.
Councilor Dylan Doughty also expressed surprise that the university was able to get approval of their plan from the Saco River Corridor Commission before they actually owned the property.
Alan Thibeault, vice president of operations at UNE, said the city’s proposed moratorium took school officials “by surprise.”
Thibeault told the council that UNE has not built a new building on its campus since 2018. He made no mention of the controversial, large-scale pier that the university is planning to construct on the Saco River. He also did not talk about the school’s plan to add new student housing at the St. Joseph’s convent.
Instead, Thibeault reminded the council that UNE is “a major employer and economic driver” in Biddeford. “We do not believe that we have been a burden on the city,” Thibeault said, pointing out that UNE has its own wastewater treatment facility.
Furthermore, Thibeault said the university has significantly decreased its impact on the city by its decision three years ago to move roughly 360 students and 120 staffers to the school’s Portland campus that now houses UNE’s medical school programs. That move, he said, significantly reduced traffic and other impacts at the Biddeford campus.
Thibeault said the moratorium could place the university at financial risk. He said colleges and universities across the country are closing at a rate of one per month because of changing demographics.
Councilor Brad Cote, however, balked at Thibeault’s concerns about the economic impacts of the moratorium.
“I find it a little offensive that the university would come to us and express financial worries,” Cote said. “Let’s remember that their campus in Biddeford sits on land that has an assessed value of roughly $82 million.”
Thibeault said UNE appreciated that its president – James Hebert – was appointed to the city’s newly created ad-hoc committee.
“We welcome a genuine relationship with the city,” Thibeault told the 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
c.) 2026 All Rights Reserved
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According to documents obtained by the Biddeford Gazette, the city of Biddeford is now investigating why more than $16,000 was spent on a downtown parking plan that was never reviewed or authorized by the city council or its Finance Committee.
At Mayor Liam LaFountain’s request, City Attorney Harry B. Center was asked to investigate questions about a temporary program that used various budget lines to fund a free parking program for downtown merchants during last year’s downtown sewer construction project.
The parking project, according to Center’s memo, was allegedly initiated by former Mayor Marty Grohman roughly 90 days before the city’s biennial election. The program was disbanded in mid-November just days after Grohman lost his reelection bid.
The municipal parking garage on Pearl Street (City photo)
When contacted by the Biddeford Gazette on Sunday, LaFountain confirmed that neither he nor any other elected official was told about the parking program.
LaFountain said he asked Center to investigate how the parking program was launched, operated and funded.
“It appears that it was kept within a small circle of people,” the mayor said. “Unfortunately, no one bothered to tell the council or the Finance Committee.”
LaFountain said he only found out about the project when City Manager Truc Dever asked if he wanted the program to continue.
“I didn’t even know the program existed,” LaFountain said. “It’s certainly troubling. The public expects us to be diligent and careful with public monies. Any major expenditures should be approved by the Finance Committee and then the full city council.”
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“It appears that it was kept within a small circle of people”
— Mayor Liam LaFountain
_____________
According to Center’s memo, the parking plan was initiated just weeks before City Manager Truc Dever began her new position with the city.
As part of his investigation, Center spoke with Finance Director Gerry Matherne.
“There was no council approval,” Matherne told Center. “Marty [Grohman] just did it.”
According to Center, Matherne confirmed that the funding source came from the Route 111 TIF (Tax Increment Finance) fund. under a line item known as “Other Professional Consulting Services.”
The funds were disbursed to Premium Parking, the private company that operates the city’s parking garage and several surface lots throughout the downtown area.
The funds were used to offset the cost of parking for vehicles with certain license plate numbers and designed to make street parking downtown much easier during the sewer construction project.
_____________
“There was no council approval. Marty just did it.”
— Finance Director Gerry Matherne
_____________
LaFountain told the Gazette that he was “troubled” by the situation, and said it only further erodes public confidence in City Hall.
Last year, during a review of the city’s FY 2023 audit, the city received a blistering report from its professional auditors who raised concerns about possible mismanagement of federal grant funds and a sloppy cash reconciliation process.
Matherne was hired in February and is continuing her work to address prior problems in the city’s Finance Department.
“Director Matherne is being asked to clean up and reconcile numerous issues that took place before she was hired,” said LaFountain. “Her professionalism and hard work are exactly what the city needs as we try to sort things out.”
Former mayor defends program
Former Biddeford mayor Marty Grohman told the Gazette that he was “unaware” that the city was giving money to Premium Parking to offset costs and provide free parking for certain downtown merchants and their employees.
Grohman said the plan was intended to be “revenue neutral,” and said he never authorized any extra payments to Premium Parking.
Grohman says the paid parking plan came from an idea first discussed during his weekly meetings with downtown merchants and others who were struggling with snarled traffic.
“I didn’t set it up,” Grohman said. “It was Brad Favreau (from the city’s economic development office) who set it up.”
Because of the holiday weekend, City Hall was closed and Favreau was unavailable for comment.
Although Grohman said he thought the program would be revenue neutral, he later said he did “not recall the source of the funding” that would be used.
Grohman said the idea behind his plan was to simply reconfigure spaces and designations of certain downtown parking lots.
Grohman described the plan as a “goodwill agreement” between the city and Premium Parking.
“They (Premium Parking) must have misunderstood the intent of the program,” Grohman said, when asked why the company billed the city an extra $3,170 every month between August and November 2025.
More than two years ago, Grohman was a city councilor and hoping to become the city’s mayor.
Grohman pledged then to “get tough” on the privately operated garage that is still subsidized by the city.
During a May 21, 2023 interview with this reporter, Grohman said the city should not be using TIF funds to make its subsidy payments to Premium Parking.
Grohman then said he considered the use of TIF funds to continue funding revenue shortfalls at the garage as “galling.”
“Our debt service is more than $4 million a year,” Grohman said during that 2023 interview. “I don’t think this [funding of garage revenue shortfalls] is the best use for the TIF funds.”
Next steps
Center’s memo about the parking plan is expected to be addressed during Tuesday’s Finance Committee meeting, which begins at 5 p.m. in the council chambers.
From Center’s memo: “In summary, the former mayor on his own initiative –without City Council or Finance Committee vote — directed that the payments be made to Premium Parking for private downtown business employees to park in the parking garage as well as surface lots during the Elm Street sewer construction project.
“Following an initial payment on August 26, 2025, in the amount of $3,690, four additional monthly payments of $3,170 were made from the “Route 111 TIF Fund” totaling $16,370. The payments were for parking but were made from a line item designated “Other Professional/Consulting Service Expense.”
The Gazette has filed a Freedom of Information request for emails that were circulated between July and October between the mayor’s office, Favreau’s office and Delilah Poupore, executive director of Heart of Biddeford.
“This situation is outrageous,” said At-Large Councilor Marc Lessard. “You can’t just spend taxpayer dollars to make people feel warm and fuzzy. Our ordinances spell out a process.
“Citizens expect us to adhere to those processes and follow the city charter,” Lessard added.
This story will be updated.
Editor’s Note: The Biddeford Gazette has filed a FOIA request related to this developing story. You may view/download our request by clicking on the link below:
Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain is proposing a temporary moratorium on all development projects at the University of New England’s Biddeford campus.
LaFountain is also scheduled to nominate UNE president James Hebert to serve on an ad-hoc committee that will focus on development at the school’s Biddeford campus.
During an interview with the Gazette on Thursday, LaFountain said a temporary moratorium will allow the city to examine and evaluate the rapidly increasing pace and scale of development within the Institutional Zone (IZ).
In December, the city council voted unanimously to create an ad-hoc committee that will review and make recommendations about current and future development on UNE’s campus.
“I want that review committee able to hit the ground running,” LaFountain said, pointing out that the IZ has not been amended or updated for more than 20 years. “We need just a short pause in order to catch our breath. The current language is somewhat vague and needs to be updated.”
Recent projects have highlighted the need for the committee, LaFountain said, pointing to the university’s controversial pier project, plans to develop a fire substation near the campus and a plan to convert a former convalescent home into new dormitories for the university.
LaFountain said he believes that university development will continue to play an important role in the city’s future.
“The question before the council is not whether such development should occur, but whether it should proceed under a regulatory framework that has not been comprehensively examined in more than twenty years,” the mayor said.
UNE President James Hebert is being appointed by Biddeford’s mayor to serve on an ad-hoc committee that will review ongoing and planned development within the city’s Institutional Zone (Photo: LinkedIn
The city needs the time necessary to complete that examination responsibly and to ensure that future decisions are guided by clear standards, shared expectations, and the long-term interests of the city as a whole, the mayor added.
During a previous city council meeting in December, Ed Cervone, director of external affairs at UNE, said the university is supportive of the city’s desire to review the Institutional Zone Ordinance and creation of the ad-hoc committee.
“UNE hopes that the creation of an Institutional Zone Review Committee can bring additional clarity to, understanding of, and confidence in the ordinance,” Cervone said.
During that December meeting, Cervone suggested that the new committee should include a Hills Beach Association representative; the city planner and Ward One Councilor Patricia Boston because of her historical knowledge about the Institutional Zone and a UNE representative.
LaFountain will ask the City Council Tuesday to confirm his appointments to the six-member ad-hoc committee, which will be chaired by Councilor Pat Boston, a Hills Beach resident; Matt Haas, a former UNE employee who first raised concerns about the Saco River Corridor Commission’s approval of the university’s controversial pier proposal; and residents Christine Stone and Betsy Martin.
LaFountain has also nominated Councilor Marc Lessard and James Hebert, UNE’s president, to serve on the committee.
Committee Objectives
In his memo to the city council, LaFountain said his proposed moratorium will accomplish several objectives, including:
• Orderly Review: It allows the Institutional Zone Review Committee, City staff, the Planning Board, and the City Council to complete their work without the pressure of pending applications advancing under rules that may soon change.
• Consistency and Fairness: It avoids applying one set of standards to some projects while others are reviewed under a revised framework, promoting predictability for applicants and the public alike.
• Public Confidence: It acknowledges heightened public interest in institutional development and demonstrates that the city is taking a deliberate, transparent approach to updating its zoning ordinances and policies.
• Long-Term Planning: It ensures that decisions with lasting impacts on neighborhoods, infrastructure, and municipal capacity are informed by a comprehensive policy review rather than piecemeal approvals.
“The moratorium is not intended to halt institutional growth indefinitely, nor to target any single institution, but rather to ensure that future development proceeds under a clearer and more durable regulatory framework,” LaFountain said.
Sarah Delage, a university spokesperson, said UNE’s president is looking forward to working with the city as a member of the newly created ad-hoc committee.
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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.) 2026 All Rights Reserved, Biddeford Gazette, Inc.
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[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 an interest in serving on any one of more than 20 committees, boards and commissions.
One of the most notable changes being proposed by LaFountain is a slight shakeup on the city’s planning board.
The Planning Board has seven members, including the chair and two non-voting, associate members.
Both Larry Patoine and Susan Deschambault will no longer be serving as regular members on the planning board because their terms expired in December.
Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain says periodic “refreshing” can be valuable,
Deschambault said she was ready to step down after more than a decade of service, but Patoine says he would have enjoyed serving another term.
Patoine joined the planning board in 2007 during the Wallace Nutting administration and has been repeatedly reappointed over the last 18 years.
“I really enjoyed it,” Patoine said of his tenure on the board. “Yes, I would have liked another term, but it’s the mayor’s prerogative about who is appointed. I think he (LaFountain) wants to be headed in a different direction.”
A few weeks before he announced his bid to become Biddeford’s next mayor, LaFountain – then city council president — was clearly troubled by the review process of several large projects that came before the planning board.
During a June 17, 2025 city council meeting, LaFountain and other councilors were visibly upset about how two major projects were being presented to the city council.
Both Fathom Development and Westbrook Development Corp. appeared before the council for final approval of credit enhancement agreements connected to two projects near the city’s Pearl Street parking garage.
After a tense, marathon council meeting that lasted until after midnight, the council was evenly split in a 4-4 tie, and credit enhancement agreements were approved after then mayor Marty Grohman broke the tie.
“This makes me ridiculously uncomfortable,” LaFountain said during the meeting, frustrated that City Planner David Galbraith appeared to be taking direction from the developers who were seated in the audience. “This is not a good look for the city.”
The site where Westbrook Development Commission wants to build 90 units of senior housing near the intersection of Lincoln and Pearl streets (Seaver photo)
Within days after winning his election, LaFountain pushed for further review of how the University of New England’s controversial pier proposal was handled.
The pier project was narrowly approved in a 3-2 vote before the planning board on August 6.
Planning board member Roch Angers appeared before the council on the previous day and said “something smells fishy” about how UNE’s application was reviewed by city officials.
Today, LaFountain says there is a benefit to having “periodic changes” on city boards and commissions.
“I think it’s good to refresh things from time to time,” the mayor said.
During his first council meeting as mayor in December, LaFountain appointed former city councilor John McCurry to the planning board.
McCurry – a former city councilor, council president and former School Committee member – said he is looking forward to serving on the planning board. “This mayor is focused on data-driven solutions,” McCurry says. “I think that’s right up my alley.”
On Tuesday, the city council will review LaFountain’s appointment of Leah Schaffer to the planning board.
LaFountain told the Gazette that he is “impressed” by Schaffer’s resume and qualifications.
According to her application, Schaffer is an architect and has a “strong interest in city planning.”
Schaffer has served on the city’s Historic Preservation Commission since 2016 and currently serves as that organization’s chair. She also serves as chair on the Citizen’s Advisory since 2023.
Schafer served as chair and member of the Heart of Biddeford’s Design Committee from 2016 to 2024.
Other members of the planning board include Chair Alexa Plotkin; voting members Roch Angers and Matt Dubois; and associate member Kayla Lewis.
Plotkin told the Gazette that the planning board has experienced a significant increase in both the pace and volume of items requiring review.
“We are seeing a big spike in the number of applications that have come before us,” Plotkin said, pointing to both large-scale housing projects and increasing rebuild/redesign applications from coastal homeowners who are either preparing for future storms or trying to repair weather-related damages to their homes.
“Being on the planning is a constant learning process,” Plotkin said, pointing to numerous policy changes and updated zoning ordinances at both the local and state level.
Plotkin said she feels “a bit sad’ that Larry Patoine will no longer be on the board. “I can see the value of a fresh set of eyes, but I also see tremendous value in having people with lots of institutional knowledge, Plotkin added.
Plotkin’s term expires in December 2027; Angers and Dubois both have terms that expire in December.
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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.) 2026 All Rights Reserved
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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 to serving on the Saco School Board, Roche is also the president of SOS Saco Bay, an organization formed to address erosion issues in Saco’s Camp Ellis neighborhood.
In a Dec. 19 email to LaFountain that was also sent to Biddeford City Manager Truc Dever and Saco Mayor Jodi MacPhail, Roche begins by suggesting that Biddeford and Saco officials should be working collaboratively on issues regarding the Saco River.
Kevin Roche (right) stands near a piece of dredging equipment (Facebook photo)
He then asserts that the city of Biddeford is being unduly influenced by a few residents who have raised concerns about UNE’s large-scaled pier project.
Specifically, Roche harshly criticized the city’s decision to file a formal complaint against the Saco River Corridor Commission (SRCC) regarding that agency’s approval of the proposed pier.
The city filed the complaint after learning that a 250-foot buffer zone was created more than 20 years ago through an agreement between UNE and the SRCC.
Roche described the city’s complaint as a “fruitless endeavor” that will surely be rejected by the court.
“We are greatly troubled that the city of Biddeford has now taken the position that NO pier should be allowed due to a misreading of the 250-foot buffer zone,” Roche wrote in his email.
In his email, Roche strongly defended the university against complaints from residents who raised questions about the controversial project.
A view from the Camp Ellis Pier across the river to where the University of New England is hoping to construct a large-scale pier to support its marine research activities (Seaver photo)
Roche pointed out that UNE students regularly volunteer to help put up holiday lights in downtown Biddeford, and how the university is involved in monitoring coastal issues as well as projects to replace dune sands on both sides of the river.
Roche describes the university as a “key partner” in a planned dredging project on the Saco River that is scheduled to begin next year.
In his email, Roche said a “larger pier research vessel is critical in providing even more benefit to our greater shoreline communities.”
Roche says the goal of those opposed to the pier project was never about the location of the pier, “they simply did not want UNE to have any presence on the river.”
It is unclear whether Roche spoke to or communicated with any of those who raised concerns about the pier project.
Roche said opponents of the project “utilized slick PR guys, often posing as the press” in their attempt to derail the pier proposal.
He went on to say that the city of Biddeford has chosen to “govern based on hate and lies.” He provides no details or documentation regarding the “lies.”
Roche advised the city to do things “the right way” and should “follow facts, not fiction.” He also suggested that Biddeford should get rid of its own harbormaster and instead share Saco’s harbormaster for joint jurisdiction of river activities.
LaFountain told the Gazette that he has no plans to change the city’s current course in regard to review of UNE’s proposal or moving ahead in creating an ad-hoc Institutional Zone Review Committee to review development at UNE’s Biddeford campus.
“Our complaint with the SRCC is now before the court, so it would not be appropriate for me to comment on that matter until the court renders its decision,” LaFountain said.
“I believe we did the right thing and we are fully committed to moving forward by following criteria based upon fact, process and law, not inflammatory rhetoric.”
According to their March 20, 2025 quarterly report to their members and affiliates, SOS Saco Bay stated “We have grown our relationship with the University of New England which is doing some amazing work.”
According to that report, SOS Saco Bay was “also invited to participate in the UNE Summer Sustainability Fellowship Program, and stated that “UNE has committed to be a Platinum Supporter at our October Conference.”
Saco Mayor Jodi MacPhail told the Gazette that it would be inappropriate to comment on the views of a private organization, saying only that she is looking forward to working with Biddeford’s new mayor.
Roche did not answer any of the questions sent to him by the Biddeford Gazette. He did, however, offer a brief statement, saying “SOS Saco Bay takes no formal position on the pier location debate, but we maintain that a research pier would be a huge asset in our fight against coastal erosion.
“We feel that anyone standing in opposition to the pier is in opposition of what we are trying to do. We have not heard any arguments that a research pier will cause undue harm to our coastal waterways and shorelines.”
You can view/download a copy of Mr. Roche’s Dec. 19 email here:
BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 