Is the Gazette biased against UNE?

March 7, 2026March 9, 2026 ~ Randy Seaver ~ 2 Comments

By RANDY SEAVER, Editor

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 specifically raised concerns about our March 5 story | Was Sen. Collins misled by 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 restoration

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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Frustrated residents share concerns about UNE

March 3, 2026March 3, 2026 ~ Randy Seaver ~ 3 Comments

By RANDY SEAVER, Editor

One by one, more than a dozen area residents approached the podium to offer comments and concerns about development at the University of New England’s Biddeford campus during a public hearing held by members of the newly created Institutional Zone Review Committee.

The committee, which includes UNE President Dr. James Herbert, listened carefully to some often-heated public testimony during the hour-long hearing.

*UNE President Dr. James Herbert and IZ Review Committee Chair Pat Boston listen to public testimony during Monday’s public hearing regarding the city’s Institutional Zone (Seaver photo)*

Several residents said they were not there to “bash the university,” but rather to urge the committee for a more thoughtful and deliberate review process when it comes to the city’s Institutional Zone residents.

Many residents expressed anger, frustration and concerns about recent development projects planned by the university.

Gary McMullen of Biddeford told the committee that he hopes they can “do something to improve the process” regarding how development at UNE’s campus is approved.

“I don’t have anything against UNE,” McMullen said. “It’s about the process.”

McMullen talked about how Paul Lariviere – the city’s harbormaster – was removed from the review process of a controversial, large-scale research pier the university is hoping to soon construct on the Saco River.

McMullen cautioned the committee from accepting a false narrative that Lariviere was opposed to the project, saying the harbormaster was only opposed to the exact location being proposed by UNE.

Bunny Wermenchuk of Biddeford told the committee that her family’s property – which they first purchased in the mid-1970s – was then located near the former St. Francis College.

Over the years – Wermenchuk said – her family’s home became surrounded by sprawling growth, after St. Francis College became the University of New England.

“I’m not here to bash the university,” Wermenchuk said. “I’m here to talk about our ordinances for development at the university.”

Wermenchuk remined the committee that it has been more than 25 years since the university’s master development plan has been updated and approved by the Biddeford Planning Board.

“Over the last 24 years, there has been a lot of growth at UNE,” she said. “I support that growth, but I want to make sure it is happening the right way.”

Wermenchuk said UNE’s waterfront location impacts many things that affect the community – from the environment and fisheries to the concerns of mooring owners in proximity to the campus.

*Biddeford resident Kelly Mourmouras addresses the IZ Review Committee (Seaver photo)*

Kelly Mourmouras told the committee that there is a long history of UNE doing things differently than what was told to Hills Beach residents.

Mourmouras — who graduated from UNE — said her husband served as vice president of the Hills Beach Neighborhood Association when the city’s first Institutional Zone Review Committee was formed in the mid-1990s.

“I want to thank Mayor [Liam] LaFountain for establishing this committee,” she said. “The transparency and honesty in the process are important. We had numerous meetings with the university, and it was always very challenging.”

Diane Doyle, a Saco resident, told the committee she was concerned about UNE’s plans to purchase the former St. Joseph’s convent property, which is located on the shores of the Saco River, roughly two miles west of UNE’s main campus.

Doyle said she and her neighbors across the river have now noticed many “bright lights” being erected on what was once a relatively quiet and hidden property.

“We are concerned about how UNE is going to develop that particular property,’” Doyle told the committee.

City Councilor Pat Boston – the committee’s chair – reminded the audience that the convent property is not located within the city’s Institutional Zone, and thus concerns about that specific property are not relevant to the committee’s work.

Does UNE benefit Biddeford?

Over the last few weeks, the Biddeford Gazette has received and published several letters to the editor and guest columns related to the University of New England and its numerous benefits to the community.

But Biddeford resident Joe Emmons challenged many of those positive assumptions.

“How, exactly, do Biddeford residents benefit from what is happening at UNE?” Emmons asked rhetorically.

Lori Nerbonne described herself as a newer Biddeford resident and raised concerns about a property that the university recently purchased near her Red Oak Lane neighborhood.

Resident Paul Brady, a residential waterfront property owner said Biddeford needs a “watchdog” to monitor “all of us on the river.” He said he hopes communication between UNE and its neighbors can improve. (Seaver photo)

“There has always been a buffer between the university and our residential neighborhood via UNE’s access road’ (to the beach),” Nerbonne told the committee. “Now, there is no buffer because the property they purchased is a home inside the residential zone in our very small neighborhood.”

Shawn Tibbetts – one of seven mooring owners who could be impacted by the university’s pier – blasted the city for a lack of communication about ongoing development at the university campus.

Tibbetts, a commercial fisherman, said no one from the city or the university would even return his calls and emails about how the proposed pier could impact his livelihood.

“At no point, were local harbormasters involved in the review of the pier UNE wants to build, and that was a huge mistake,” Tibbetts told the committee. “This is the stuff UNE doesn’t want to talk about.”

Tom Hatch, another Biddeford mooring owner, said his concerns and questions last year about UNE’s proposed pier project were ignored by the city.

“I reached out to the former mayor, the former city manager and even Senator [Susan] Collins.” Hatch told the committee. “I got a grand total of zero response.

“As a taxpayer and a stakeholder, you expect—at least – to get some kind of response.”

Hatch told the committee he hopes to see a “dramatic improvement” in how the city and the university communicate with residents.

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“As a taxpayer and a stakeholder, you expect—at least – to get some kind of response.”

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Resident Paul Brady – a waterfront property owner – told the committee that “the city needs a watchdog to watch all of us on the river.”

*Approximately 30 people attended Monday’s public hearing about development at UNE’s campus. (Seaver photo)*

Following the hour-long public hearing, the committee opted to immediately go back to its ongoing review and examination of development issues within the Institutional Zone.

Boston reminded the audience and those watching online that additional comments and concerns can be sent to the committee via a group email at InstitutionalZoneReview@biddefordmaine.org

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LETTER: City is treating UNE unfairly

March 2, 2026 ~ Randy Seaver ~ 4 Comments

By BERNARD ROY, Special to the Gazette

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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READER OPINION | What was city thinking?

February 28, 2026February 28, 2026 ~ Randy Seaver ~ 2 Comments

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.

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The university is a major prize in Biddeford. Most cities would give their right arm for this privilege.

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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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Eastern fire substation moving through review process

January 26, 2026January 27, 2026 ~ Randy Seaver ~ 1 Comment

By RANDY SEAVER, Editor

NOTE: This story has been updated in order to clarify that city of Biddeford has not had any formal discussions with the owners of the Biddeford Pool volunteer fire station. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused.

It is an idea that has been discussed for nearly a decade, but it now appears that momentum is increasing to finally create a full-time substation of the Biddeford Fire Department somewhere on the eastern side of the city.

According to Biddeford Fire Chief Lawrence Best, the overall goal is to reduce emergency response times in areas from the intersections of the Guinea Road, easterly, along both Pool and West streets, toward the coastal neighborhoods of Hills Beach, Granite Point, Fortunes Rocks and Biddeford Pool.

During an interview with the Gazette last week, Best said he is looking at multiple location options.

*Biddeford Fire Department Chief Larry Best (City photo)*

Two of the most talked about options include converting the privately-owned Biddeford Pool volunteer firehouse; and purchasing a parcel of land now owned by the University of New England (UNE) near the intersection of Pool Street and Newtown Road.

A little more than three years ago, former mayor Alan Casavant created a committee taskforce to review potential sites and various ways to improve emergency response times.

Ward One City Councilor Pat Boston represents that part of the city, a role she held previously before taking a hiatus from serving on the council.

Boston also served on the task force created by Casavant.

“It was always about response times, and that is what drove the bulk of our conversations,” she said.

Best told the Gazette that emergency response times should not exceed a window of more than four to six minutes, at least 90 percent of the time for all calls.

Best also says that the easterly part of the city has seen an increase in demand for service, including an average of 160 calls per year from the University of New England’s Biddeford campus.

Boston quoted former city councilor Norman Belanger, saying that public safety is one of the three major functions the city should provide.

“Response times are important,” Boston said. “But it’s also important to remember that there is a substantial cost involved. Whichever option we choose we need to make sure that choice addresses both current and future needs.”

Boston says she likes the idea of converting the Biddeford Pool Fire station into a full-time, 24-7 substation staffed and operated by the city, but said she is also keeping an open mind about other potential locations.

Best describes the 30-acre parcel owned by UNE as his ‘Plan A” site but concedes that there are several potential issues that could limit or prevent future development.

“That site has some vernal pools and wetlands that would not be appropriate for development,” Best said. “As the fire chief, it is my responsibility to keep an eye out for all the options.”

Best said there would be a significant cost associated with converting the privately owned Biddeford Pool fire station into a full-time “livable station.”

“We are not having any formal discussions with the Biddeford Pool Improvement Association at this time, Best said. “I have had a couple of high-level concept discussions, but nothing formal.”

He says that the Biddeford Pool option would not necessarily meet the objectives of reducing response times in other parts of eastern Biddeford, including homes along the Guinea Road and Hills Beach Road, which cuts through UNE’s campus.

Best made a detailed presentation about the ongoing discussions and goals of creating an eastern fire substation a few weeks ago during the Dec. 16 Biddeford City Council meeting.

Best told the council that the UNE property continues to be the preferred location for a substation given its location and travel routes. “A majority of the fire/EMS calls in this area can be reached from this location within the national standard response time of four to six minutes,” he said.

Where are we, and where do we want to go?

Best joined the Biddeford Fire Department as its new chief in 2023.

The city’s Central Fire station still lives up to its name today because of its central location even as the city expands in both an easterly and westerly direction, Best said.

Today, Best describes his department as “fully staffed” with a total of 52 full-time employees, including 48 employees trained as both firefighters and paramedics, including EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians).

“I am all about efficiency and saving the city money,” Best said. “All of our firefighters have dual training. This gives us the flexibility we need to handle every call for service.”

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“I am all about efficiency and saving the city money.”

— Fire Chief Larry Best

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Current response times to the eastern part of the city can take 12 to 14 minutes. “That is a long time to wait if you’re in an emergency situation,” Best said.

Best said Biddeford has “outstanding” mutual aid agreements in place with several surrounding communities.

“This job requires me to be vigilant and always scanning the horizon for new opportunities and planning ahead for potential challenges,” he said.

Best said he is looking forward to an upcoming workshop meeting with the mayor and city council.

“A workshop meeting is a more relaxed setting than a regular council meeting,” Best said. “This will give the council an opportunity to ask questions and for us to make sure that they have all the information they need or want.”

Editor’s Note: You may view and/or download the Dec. 16 presentation to the city by clicking the link below.

Fire Station PDF Download

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

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Mayor proposes moratorium on UNE development

January 15, 2026January 15, 2026 ~ Randy Seaver ~ 1 Comment

By RANDY SEAVER, Editor

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

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School daze for new Biddeford city councilors?

December 8, 2025December 9, 2025 ~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

By RANDY SEAVER, Editor

Tomorrow night – Dec. 9 – the new members of the Biddeford City Council will be getting some required “training” for their new roles in city government.

The city council workshop –– ostensibly open to the public, but why? — will feature four breakout sessions, including updates from City Manager Truc Dever, City Attorney Harry Center, City Clerk Robin Patterson and Executive Assistant Shelly MacNeill – the person who answers calls and schedules appointments for the mayor and city manager.

No, I am not making this up.

It’s probably safe to say that veteran councilor Marc Lesard will not be required to attend the Tuesday workshop meeting, given the fact that he’s been serving on the council since before Abraham Lincoln was shot, back in the days before Alan Casavant was Biddeford’s mayor.

It remains unclear whether Councilors Patricia Boston and Brad Cote will need a refresher course in protocol, since they both previously served on the council – back when Barack Obama was president.

But newbie councilors Lisa Vadnais, David Kurtz, Jake Pierson and Abigail Woods will likely enjoy the various breakout training sessions, learning new skills such as how to control your gag reflexes during public meetings, the secret handshakes used during closed-door executive sessions and the limit of eyerolls that can be used whenever Richard Rhames approaches the podium.

But seriously, there are some protocols and procedures that city councilors must follow. So, it makes sense to learn the ground rules before you can actually start doing some serious damage to the city.

One thing blatantly missing from Tuesday’s training session: how to deal with the media.

*A photo of downtown Biddeford taken shortly after Marc Lessard was first sworn into office as a city councilor. This is satire, feel free to smile.*

The new councilors should be aware that a former member of British Parliament – reportedly one of Lessard’s classmates – once opined that the press is the proverbial “fourth estate of government.”

The point Edmund Burke was trying to make back in the late 1700s was that the press held almost as much power and influence in policy as government officials, both elected and appointed.

But let’s turn the tables for a moment and examine first what our new councilors should expect from the media.

First and foremost, government officials should expect members of the media to be accurate. Secondly, responsible journalists should always be fair and strive for objectivity. Thirdly, journalists should treat government officials with respect and basic civility.

Now what does the media expect of government officials?

The top-three things? (in order) 1.) Honesty. 2.) Honesty and 3.) Honesty.

Seriously, always be honest, even if it means you’re not able to offer a comment because of state or local laws and ordinances. No one can fault you for following the law.

If a member of the press takes the time to call you, return the call. If you’re busy, ask the reporter if he or she is on a deadline. If you don’t know the answer to a reporter’s question, simply say, “I don’t know.”

This is the same basic advice I offer to my public relations clients. Don’t panic when a reporter calls. Just be polite and honest.

Finally, on your way home from Tuesday night’s workshop meeting, maybe swing by Kohl’s and get yourself a pair of big boy pants.

You – despite logic and common-sense – signed up for public office, which means you are now fair game for public criticism. For your own sanity, you’re gonna have to learn how to let some stuff just roll of your backs.

Actually, Marc Lessard provides an excellent example of how to deal with media criticism: You just ignore it. Seriously. It’s not personal. It’s business.

No city official – past or present – (okay, maybe Joanne Twomey) has endured more media criticism and bloviating from me than Marc Lessard.

*City Councilor Marc Lessard (official photo)*

For nearly three decades, Marc and I have sparred on several issues. I have publicly called him to task on countless occasions and roundly scolded him in long-winded, poorly-written editorials for his positions, comments and actions.

“That’s billion with a B, boys.” (Inside joke probably only remembered by Lessard and Harry Center)

Nevertheless, Lessard always returns my calls promptly. He’s always ready to defend and explain his positions. He is invariably cordial and professional.

Make no mistake. Reporters – especially this one – can be a pain in the ass, but we could all learn a lot from Marc Lessard.

Now, is a zebra white with black stripes or black with white stripes?

Good luck, newbies! And thanks for stepping up to serve the city!

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

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Talkin’ Biddeford Politics with Randy Forcier

October 27, 2025March 7, 2026 ~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

Once again, I had a blast as a guest on the Randy Forcier Podcast.

We talked about the upcoming municipal elections, my predictions on the various races and voter turnout.

Randy is a Biddeford native and a former member of the Biddeford School Committee. You can find his podcast on several platforms, including YouTube, Spotify and Facebook.

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UPDATE | Biddeford’s 2025 Election Results

City Council President Liam LaFountain edged out one-term incumbent Marty Grohman in a three-way race that also included former city councilor Norman Belanger.

In the three-way race, LaFountain picked up 2,626 votes (42 percent) over Grohman’s 2,414 votes (38 percent) and Belanger’s 1,273 votes (20) percent.

Find all the official results from the Biddeford City Clerk’s Office here.

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NOTE | You can see my previous interview with Randy — where we talked about my 2024 Top 20 local politicians and policy maker list — at the link below.

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UPDATE | Biddeford’s 2025 Election Results

City Council President Liam LaFountain edged out one-term incumbent Marty Grohman in a three-way race that also included former city councilor Norman Belanger.

In the three-way race, LaFountain picked up 2,626 votes (42 percent) over Grohman’s 2,414 votes (38 percent) and Belanger’s 1,273 votes (20) percent.

Find all the official results from the Biddeford City Clerk’s Office here.

Candidates share concerns about UNE pier

October 18, 2025October 27, 2025 ~ Randy Seaver ~ 1 Comment

Amid the ongoing and intensifying controversy surrounding the University of New England’s plans to construct a large research pier on the Saco River, the two candidates who hope to represent that area on the city council say they are watching the issue closely.

Former city councilor Patricia Boston and political newcomer Jim LaBelle both say the issue has become “divisive” and lament “missed opportunities for mediation” during the two-year-long review process.

Boston, a Hills Beach resident, has been closely following the university’s ongoing expansion over the last two decades. She is hoping to make a return to the city council after a 14-year hiatus.

LaBelle recently retired after serving seven years as the executive director of the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce and lives in Biddeford Pool.

Although the Biddeford Planning Board narrowly voted in favor of UNE’s proposal in August, many coastal area residents and others say the city’s review process was deeply flawed.

Last month, a group of residents were able to collect enough signatures to trigger a special Citizens Grievance meeting about the pier proposal. That meeting is scheduled to take place on Thursday, Oct. 23 at City Hall.

Additionally, an appeal of the Planning Board’s decision has been filed with the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), a review agency that has not met in more than a year.

Although the ZBA meeting has been scheduled for Nov. 13, attorneys representing both the university and the city said this week that the ZBA has “no standing” to reconsider the planning board’s Aug. 6 decision because those who filed the appeal are not “abutters” to the project and arguments regarding the lack of harbormaster approval are “irrelevant” to the planning board’s review.

“It’s become quite a mess,” said LaBelle. “A lot of people I talk to see UNE as a big asset to the city, but it does look like some things were missed during the review process.”

Specifically, LaBelle pointed to the recent news that the Saco River Corridor Commission failed to include a previous ruling when that agency reviewed the proposal last year.

Ultimately, the Saco River Corridor Commission (SRCC) approved UNE’s application, but now says that a required 250-foot vegetative buffer zone would prohibit the construction of a necessary access road.

Donald Furman, Biddeford’s representative to the SRCC, abstained from the agency’s vote.

Other regulatory agencies, including the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, approved the project but without opportunity or consideration for public comment or feedback.

“It feels as if this thing has been on greased skids since the beginning,” said John Shafer, former chair of Biddeford’s Harbor Commission.

“It does look like
mistakes were made.”
— Jim LaBelle, Ward One candidate

Boston says it is “unfortunate” that the issue has become “so divisive.”

Boston also said she has concerns about how the city was able to remove the city’s harbormaster and assistant harbormaster from the review process last year.

“How did the city authorize or approve a private engineer to fill that position?” she asked.

Both Boston and LaBelle said they plan to attend the special Oct. 23 meeting at City Hall.

“I want to hear what everyone has to say,” Boston said.

“It does look like some mistakes were made,” LaBelle said, pointing out that the university will still need to get a building permit from the city.

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

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Boston, LaBelle both hoping for Ward One seat

October 6, 2025February 10, 2026 ~ Randy Seaver ~ 1 Comment

Two candidates have stepped forward in hopes of representing Biddeford’s coastal neighborhoods (Ward One) on the city council.

Pat Boston of Hills Beach is hoping to make a return to the city council after a 14-year hiatus. Political newcomer Jim LaBelle recently retired after serving seven years as the executive director of the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce and lives in Biddeford Pool.

Boston, 71, says she wants to help renew trust and confidence in local government by exercising fiscal responsibility and promoting “transparency and citizen engagement” at City Hall.

LaBelle, 61, said he is concerned about the high cost of living for residents, pointing out that regional incomes have grown, but have not been keeping pace with increasing property taxes and soaring utility and food costs.

Both candidates say that housing issues are among Biddeford’s biggest challenges.

“The housing issue presents several concerns,” Boston said, pointing to issues surrounding the city’s unhoused population, the need for more workforce housing and the need to promote “smart growth” strategies. “While some of these can be addressed through local funding, policies and ordinances, others require us to reach out to other local and state entities,” she said.

LaBelle pointed to his experience in the private sector world of management and business and said, “constrained resources have been the norm, requiring frugality and creativity.”

“For the city, this will require limited spending growth, creative sourcing of alternative funding and continued business growth to expand and diversify the tax base,” he said.

Boston said “preserving our natural environment, which includes our beaches and river, where recent storms took their toll” will be a top priority for her in addition to increasing walkability and use of alternate forms of transportation.

LaBelle said the city “needs to enhance our partnering with local and regional community organizations to expand solutions toward a future where none of our residents are unhoused.”

LaBelle currently serves as a voting member of the Saco River Corridor Commission. He also served as executive director of the Biddeford & Saco Chamber of Commerce for seven years, retiring a few months ago.

Boston served one term on the Biddeford School Committee, from 2005 to 2007. She was then elected to Biddeford City Council and served one term as Ward One councilor until 2009. She was then elected as an at-large representative, serving in that role from 2009 until 2011

Today, Boston serves on the St Louis Alumni Association Board; as treasurer of Age Friendly Biddeford and the McArthur Library Association Board.

When asked why she is seeking a return to the council, she said “Biddeford is my hometown, and I care about its future.”

“I have previously served the city as a councilor, school committee member, and as a member of several ad hoc committees. I have also held leadership positions in neighborhood, civic and professional organizations.

“My commitment to my community is clear. I would be honored to have the opportunity to utilize my experience to assist in moving Biddeford forward,” she said.

LaBelle served as executive director of the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce, retiring a few months ago.

LaBelle – who moved to Biddeford in 2018 – said he has come to “love the city, its many amenities and its spirited and can-do residents” and wants to bring his 40 years of business experience to the city.

“I think Biddeford is an ideal place to live and work and enjoy, a big-enough city to have so much to do, but small enough that you get to know your neighbors, the business community, and the special character that makes it feel like home for all of us,” he said. “I would be honored to give back to this community in public service to keep advocating for community progress, improved standards of living for everyone, and ongoing quality-of-life enhancements new developments.”

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

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OPINION | Should age matter in Biddeford elections?

August 12, 2025March 7, 2026 ~ Randy Seaver ~ 1 Comment

Age has – apparently — become a factor in Biddeford’s upcoming municipal election.

Today, the Biddeford Gazette published an update to its ongoing updates of potential candidates, pointing out that two more former councilors are hoping for a political comeback: Patricia Boston in Ward One and at-large candidate Clem Fleurent.

*Former city councilor Clement Fleurent*

The Gazette has been publishing these updates for several weeks. No one has questioned the age of any candidate – until today.

It should be noted that these brief updates are not stand-alone news stories, such as recent stories about both Liam LaFountain and Norm Belanger who are each hoping to replace Mayor Martin Grohman.

For the record, LaFountain – as we noted earlier – is 28. Likewise, Belanger – as we noted earlier — is 68.

Once the dust settles from all the flurry of the nomination process, our real news coverage of each and every candidate will begin.

Who raised the red flag about age?

Ironically, it was State Rep Ryan Fecteau who first asked for information (via a Facebook post) about Fleurent’s age. He did not make any inquiries about Boston’s age, nor did he reach out to provide us with the age of his partner, Dylan Doughty – another council candidate.

Fecteau – as I have previously reported – was only 16 when he stepped up to serve as a student representative on the Biddeford School Committee. A few years later, Fecteau became the youngest person to ever serve as Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives.

Last year, the age of political candidates became a big deal when President Joe Biden stumbled through his first televised debate with Donald Trump.

For the record, Trump is only three years younger than Biden. Both men were in high school at the same time.

As the Biddeford Gazette recently reported, the median age in Biddeford is 36.1 years, meaning that half of the city population is 36 or younger.

Fecteau was only 19 when he decided to seek a seat on the Biddeford Charter Commission and said during a prior interview that his decision created a bit of a stir in the community.

“There were certainly a lot of skeptics who wondered about this new kid and what he was trying to prove,” Fecteau said, pointing out that the commission was chaired by one of the city’s most well-known politicians. “I was only 19, and I think some people wondered about my motivations.”

Today, I wonder a little about Fecteau’s motivations.

If we’re going to promote and celebrate diversity, well – that also includes older people and senior citizens.

I don’t think age matters. I think competence and positions matter much more.

This is Maine: Our governor is over 65. Both of our senators (King and Collins) are over 65. Congresswomen Chellie Pingree is well over 65.

Is Fecteau concerned about those candidates and their age? Maybe, but I haven’t heard anything from him about it.

In closing, Fleurent is 90. I don’t know how old Pat Boston is, but I have asked her to call me back and reveal that secret.

The election ballot will not be finalized until September. At that point, the Gazette will begin in-depth coverage of all candidates — and their age.

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

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