The McArthur Library on Main Street has been serving every citizen of Biddeford –regardless of income — for nearly 125 years. They deserve our full support.
By RANDY SEAVER | Editor
Many Biddeford residents – rightfully so – are very concerned about the city’s ongoing debate regarding next year’s municipal budget.
Without even considering likely increases in both the local school and county budgets, Biddeford residents are once again being asked to absorb a significant increase in their property tax obligations.
We understand those concerns. Like so many of our neighbors, we are also being forced to reconcile our own needs versus our wants. These are challenging and volatile times, and the economy – especially at the national level – is being driven by a sense of uncertainty and a nagging, somewhat stubborn sense of inflationary pressures.
As it is with our own household budgets, our city leaders are now wrestling with a rather uncomfortable reality. We simply cannot afford to ignore the difference between our community’s wants and our community needs.
The mayor and city council have a fiduciary responsibility to be good stewards of the people’s money – their tax dollars. And we cannot ignore or overlook the fact that Biddeford residents have endured consecutive and often significant property tax increases.
These are serious times, and they call for serious discussion. If we are to succeed as a community, we cannot afford to dig our heels into hardline positions on any section of the budget.
This year – perhaps more than in any recent year – Biddeford residents and leaders will need to address the 3 Cs of public policy deliberation: Cooperation, Collaboration and Compromise.
It is simply unrealistic to expect that any of us will walk away, feeling completely satisfied once the FY 2027 municipal budget is finalized.
A gem in our community
During the first public hearing of the proposed budget last week, resident Michelle Cote approached the podium and described the McArthur Library – a vital component of our community since 1902 – as one of Biddeford’s unique and precious gems.
Several other residents offered similar and impassioned testimony, describing in vivid detail the numerous services and programs the library offers free of charge to every resident.
The last part of that sentence bears repeating: free of charge — to every Biddeford resident.
Roch Angers – a former city councilor – continues to be very involved in his hometown’s political and cultural affairs. No one could reasonably describe Angers as a spendthrift or as someone unconcerned with the burden of property taxes.
When Angers spoke before the council, he acknowledged his own concerns about the potential for another significant tax increase, but he also urged the council to carefully consider the library’s recent funding request.
Later that week, Angers – who also previously served on the nonprofit library’s board of directors – explained why he is such a strong advocate for the library.
“They serve everyone,” Angers explained. “From the very lowest to the very highest in our community, everyone is welcome and everyone can benefit. We have a library that we can be proud of – and we can all share in that pride.”
Angers also added that it was former colleague who inspired his perspective about the library. The late former City Councilor Raymond Cote was never one to pontificate or embrace showmanship. He was also well-known as a fiscal conservative – but he knew the value of having a strong and vibrant library in the heart of the city
Sometimes priorities don’t fit comfortably on a spreadsheet, but from our perspective, the McArthur Library is one of the city’s most vital organs – no less important than our schools, our police or our fire department.
Dollars and sense
We have attached a comparison document to this editorial. That comparison offers stunning clarity: Biddeford residents pay much less for their library than many of our surrounding communities.
We are not suggesting that a $1 million funding request is small potatoes. We are also not advocating for fully funding every request presented in this year’s budget.
It is important to note, however, that we are getting a tremendous value for our investment in the library, which shows a zero increase over last year.
Just two years after the McArthur Library first opened its doors to the community in 1902, Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes famously quipped, “Taxes are the price we pay for a civilized society.”
We are hard-pressed to think of a better way to represent a “civilized society” than to promote, encourage and support a robust library that serves the needs of every Biddeford citizen.
Thus, we encourage the Biddeford City Council to vote in full favor of the library’s current funding request.
That’s our opinion, and we welcome yours. | To submit a rebuttal op-ed, please contact us.
______________
COST COMPARISON CHART
READER FEEDBACK:
Roch Angers, Biddeford | Randy, well written and I appreciate the article and all of the honesty that you have given us. Ray Cote had such an impact on me as he was a very conservative with spending money for unrealistic reason, but when it came to the library it was all about the knowledge and the sense of knowledge that was being instilled in the minds of the young and old.
I am proud to say that I support the library as it is an integral part of our community. Take the time to see all of the programs they offer and the awesome staff they have. It is a world of knowledge with awesome books and creativity. This library is such a gem. Just to say this library is the most frequented place in Biddeford. Look at the comparison of other communities on what they spend compared to us. This board has presented to us a NO increase in what they are asking for. They know we are struggling. Say what you want that is awesome place to visit, Thanks for reading.
FEEDBACK | What do you think?
________________
THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE
BRACE FOR IMPACT | Biddeford’s Professional & Trusted News Source
Biddeford Gazette | Editorial Standards & Policies
© 2026 Biddeford Gazette, Inc. All Rights Reserved
BDDEFORD GAZETTE 