Third graders take former mayor’s idea to heart

By RANDY SEAVER | Editor At the suggestion of former Biddeford Mayor Michael Cantara, current Mayor Liam LaFountain organized an early Arbor Day celebration on Wednesday at the J.R Martin Community Center, where some third-grade students helped plant a tree in the new playground area. According to event witnesses, the students from Ms. Lecler’s class … Continue reading Third graders take former mayor’s idea to heart

IN-DEPTH | The city, the convent and the university: What happened?

A weeks-long investigation by the Biddeford Gazette reveals a million-dollar real estate deal, a 25-year option on a large parcel of riverfront land and a lack of disclosure that has fueled negative public commentary By RANDY SEAVER | Editor As tensions between the city of Biddeford and the University of New England continue to boil, … Continue reading IN-DEPTH | The city, the convent and the university: What happened?

NEWS | City, school officials discuss and react to budget increase requests

Members of the Biddeford City Council and School Committee engaged in a sometimes-tense joint discussion about the proposed city and school budgets for FY'27 By RANDY SEAVER | Editor Members of the Biddeford City Council and the Biddeford School Committee participated Wednesday in a sometimes-tense joint discussion about their respective, proposed budgets. Discussion centered upon … Continue reading NEWS | City, school officials discuss and react to budget increase requests

Mayor issues statement about court case

Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain issued a public statement to all southern Maine media outlets regarding a recent York County Superior Court decision to dismiss a lawsuit that was filed against the Saco River Corridor Commission (SRCC) in December 2025. RELATED | Court rules against the city of Biddeford Please find below the mayor's unedited statement: … Continue reading Mayor issues statement about court case

LETTER | Mayor’s column raises concerns

By DIANE SNOW | Cumberland, Maine Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain’s recent op-ed regarding the city’s new Institutional Zone Review Committee (Biddeford Gazette, Feb. 28, 2026) is very interesting.    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 … Continue reading LETTER | Mayor’s column raises concerns

City eyes hiring consultant to help ‘right the ship’

By RANDY SEAVER, Editor 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 … Continue reading City eyes hiring consultant to help ‘right the ship’

A very good night for Biddeford hockey fans!

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 … Continue reading A very good night for Biddeford hockey fans!

Although retired, Phinney wants accuracy regarding overdue Biddeford audit

By RANDY SEAVER, Editor 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, … Continue reading Although retired, Phinney wants accuracy regarding overdue Biddeford audit

OPINION | Mayor explains new UNE committee

By MAYOR LIAM LAFOUNTAIN, City of Biddeford 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 … Continue reading OPINION | Mayor explains new UNE committee

READER OPINION | What was city thinking?

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 … Continue reading READER OPINION | What was city thinking?