Matt Lewis – THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE

By RANDY SEAVER, Editor

There is little doubt that 2025 was a year of substantive change for the city of Biddeford. From political fallout to major infrastructure improvements and new business openings, this year featured a plethora of news stories about change.

In fact, even the news/media landscape changed as a new digital news source began operations, and a 36-year-old weekly newspaper ceased printing.

Like all other years, there was good news and bad news. Highs and lows.

So now we invite you to look back on what we believe were the Top-10 news stories in Biddeford during 2025. (Listed chronologically)

City Manager terminated

In February, the city council placed longtime City Manager James Bennett on “paid administrative leave.” Bennett, hired 10 years earlier, found himself embroiled and at the center of several controversies at City Hall over the last few months.

Bennett had announced his “phased retirement” in Oct. 2024, saying that he would leave his position in April 2025, with more than a year remaining on his contract.

Bennett subsequently filed a lawsuit against the city. The city opted to approve an out-of-court settlement of roughly $90,000.

Newspaper ceases publication

Like many other weekly newspapers in southern Maine, the Biddeford-Saco Courier – owned by the Portland Press Herald’s parent company – ceased publishing its print publication in early March.

Though the Courier is no longer published, its parent company now publishes a weekly, digital only newsletter.

The Courier was originally owned and operated by David and Carolyn Flood, Saco residents who later moved to Biddeford. David Flood was elected to and served briefly on the Biddeford City Council.

Major road construction project begins

In April, the city began an extensive sewer separation project on lower Elm Street (Route One). The project would last more than seven months and disrupted traffic flow throughout the city’s downtown area.

The project had an adverse impact on many downtown merchants and was jokingly dubbed as “The Nightmare on Elm Street.”

The mandated project faced intense criticism on social media sites, but was ultimately completed just a few days after the expected finish date.

Chamber hires, fires and hires new director

In May, the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce hired Matt Lewis as the agency’s new executive director after Jim LaBelle’s announced retirement. Just six months later, the Chamber fired Lewis and decided to hire Alex MacPhail as the organization’s new executive director.

Boys’ baseball team wins state championship

In June, the 15-4 Biddeford High School Tigers defeated the 17-3 Mount Ararat High School Eagles in the Class A Maine State Championship baseball game.

The Tigers rallied from two three-run deficits to beat Mt. Ararat and win their first state championship since 1984.

Truc Dever hired as new city manager

Also, in June, the City Council voted to hire Truc Dever as the new city manager. Dever was previously serving as the director of public works in the Seattle suburb of Kirkland, Wash.

In her previous position as public work director in Kirkland, Dever oversaw a staff of more than “170 employees across multiple divisions, including utilities, transportation and capital projects,” according to the city’s website.

JFK School closes after more than 60 years

The city’s JFK memorial elementary school dismissed its final classes in June. Voters previously approved a plan to expand Biddeford’s Primary School to accommodate JFK students.

School Supt. Jeremy Ray said that moving the city’s youngest students to BPS will give those children more stability and a less fractured learning experience.

“Going forward, students will be in the same building from Pre- K to second grade,” Ray said. “This way, the kids have four years in one building with lots of familiar faces.”

Planning board approves UNE’s pier proposal

*The Biddeford Planning Board held a site walk to review the University of New England’s proposed research pier (Seaver photo)*

In August, the Biddeford Planning Board narrowly approved a proposal by the University of New England to construct a large-scale research pier on the Saco River, adjacent to the school’s Biddeford campus.

The approval of the controversial project drew the ire of several residents who attempted to appeal the decision. The Biddeford Zoning Board of Appeals, however, voted unanimously (3-0) to stand by the planning board’s decision. The city — in November — filed a formal complaint about the project in York County Superior Court. A judicial review is pending.

Citizens organize grievance meeting

In October, more than 100 residents collected enough signatures to force a special “citizens’ grievance’ meeting before the Biddeford City Council.

During that meeting, residents raised concerns about how the city managed the review process of the University of New England’s controversial pier proposal. Residents’ concerns included the city’s decision to remove the harbormaster from the review process and unanswered questions about impacts on moorings held by commercial fishermen.

Voters choose new mayor, city councilors

*Liam LaFountain (foreground, wearing glasses) celebrates his win on election night with several of his supporters. (Seaver photo)*

Biddeford voters sent a clear message in November: They wanted a big change in city government.

In a three-way mayoral race, Mayor Marty Grohman was denied a second term by nearly two-thirds of those who cast ballots in Biddeford’s biennial, municipal election.

City Councilor Liam LaFountain narrowly won that three-way race, edging out Grohman with 210 votes, a margin of roughly three percent.

LaFountain campaigned and won on a platform of more transparency and accountability from City Hall.

Four new city councilors were also sworn into office, including Lisa Vadnais, Abigail Woods, David Kurtz and Jacob Pierson. Former councilors Patricia Boston and Brad Cote returned to the council after an extended hiatus of several years.

Other stories:

Of course, there were several other significant stories that took place over the last year, including a significant August fire that displaced two Biddeford families; a rather scathing report issued by the city’s financial auditors in August and the approval of two significant housing projects near the site of the former MERC trash-to-energy incinerator.

Several new businesses popped up in 2025, including an L.L. Bean outlet store, a Firestone Tire center and a new indoor recreation facility in the former Five Points shopping center.

And I’ll go ahead and toot our own horn. The Biddeford Gazette formally began its operations in January and now features a roster of contributing writers, expanded community-based news coverage and weekly obituaries.

When Laura and I started the project, we weren’t sure whether the endeavor would last six months. We exceeded all of our expectations, even after breaking my right arm in August.

I also want to note that our community lost Vincent Keely earlier this year. Keely, a former city councilor, was a beloved downtown business owner and reliably ensured the “raising of the Irish flag” at City Hall every year on St, Patrick’s Day. His restaurant – the Wonderbar – was a favorite hangout for city officials, reporters and others who wanted to keep updated about city news and events.

Now we’re looking forward to what 2026 will bring.

____________________

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

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Matt Lewis sees nothing but potential in the Biddeford-Saco area.

Lewis, 58, was hired in May as the new executive director of the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Lewis moved to Maine from the San Francisco area a little more than two years ago. California, he said, is still struggling from the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I had visited Maine many times as a leisure traveler,” he said. “I love it here, so when I saw a job opportunity pop up, I didn’t hesitate.”

That job opportunity was serving as the executive director of Hospitality Maine, a non-profit organization that represents the interests of the hospitality industry, including lodging establishments and restaurants.

Lewis bought a home in Saco and is now working to immerse himself in the community. “People are very friendly here,” he said. “It feels very welcoming.”

When asked about his priorities for the Chamber, Lewis said that continually increasing the visibility of the Chamber is very important.

“I’m always going to be
looking for opportunities
to partner with others.”
— Matt Lewis

“We want to continue building trust,” he said. “Obviously, we are always looking for ways to increase our membership, but I think it’s equally important to support our existing members.”

The Chamber is not the only organization with a mission to boost local businesses. The Heart of Biddeford and Saco Main Street have overlapping goals with the Chamber. Lewis describes that as a wonderful opportunity for a team approach and collaboration.

“I’m always going to be looking for opportunities to partner with others,” Lewis said.

Both the Heart of Biddeford and Saco Main Street have a downtown focus. The Chamber, Lewis says, has a much wider area to cover, including the cities’ industrial and business parks.

“We have members in Waterboro, Kennebunk and Old Orchard Beach,” Lewis said.

Lewis describes life in southern Maine as “interesting.”

“I get phone calls here that I never expected,” he said. “People here really do value the Chambers. I recently got a call from someone asking me for information about the pet cemetery in Saco.”

Lewis says he has a sales and marketing background. In just the last few weeks he has already “signed up several new members.”

Lewis said he could not be happier with his new job.

“We have a great board of directors,” he said. “I also feel supported by local leaders including the mayors of Biddeford and Saco. We all share the same goals.”

Lewis said he sometimes wonders if residents realize just how lucky they are to live in the Biddeford-Saco area.

“This community has so many positive things going for it,” he said, pointing to beaches, easy access to I-95, thriving business parks and a downtown that is being revitalized and transformed.

“There is so much potential here,” Lewis said. “I’m not suggesting that we don’t have challenges, but we have a solid foundation to build on here.”

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

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Tag: Matt Lewis

2025: A year of big changes in Biddeford

New Chamber director: ‘Lots of opportunities here’