Mayor breaks several tied votes Although the Biddeford City Council recently approved the creation of more than 150 housing units, several people who watched the June 17 Biddeford City Council meeting said they were “stunned” by the raw emotion and frustration on display by councilors and others who attended the meeting. The rather tense, marathon … Continue reading Tempers flare at city council meeting
Tag: Randy Seaver
Bringing a bit of southeast Asia to Biddeford
Almost two years ago, Sima and Breese Reagle opened their sandwich store on Main Street in Biddeford with a simple mission: to bring the flavors of Cambodia to southern Maine. In just a short amount of time, the BiddoBanh shop has built a loyal fan and customer base. Breese and Sima Reagle help a customer … Continue reading Bringing a bit of southeast Asia to Biddeford
City manager files lawsuit against Biddeford
Despite receiving a blistering and somewhat embarrassing report last week about the city’s financial controls and procedures, Biddeford officials are remaining tight-lipped about the abrupt departure of former city manager James Bennett. In fact, Bennett has filed a civil complaint against the city in York County Superior Court. During a public review of the city’s … Continue reading City manager files lawsuit against Biddeford
Fecteau’s housing bill gets bipartisan approval
According to a press release, both the Maine House of Representatives and Senate voted unanimously last week to approve a housing bill that was introduced by Speaker Ryan Fecteau (D-Biddeford). The bill, LD 1829, is intended to make it easier to build new housing units by amending zoning requirements and providing clarity for municipalities, developers … Continue reading Fecteau’s housing bill gets bipartisan approval
La Kermesse 2025: A lot of work to have a lot of fun
Today (Thursday, June 19) is the first day of the 42nd annual La Kermesse Festival. But the volunteers who make the annual festival possible have been working hard behind the scenes for the last 11 months in order to make this year’s celebration even more festive. Although the festival celebrates the region’s Franco-American culture and … Continue reading La Kermesse 2025: A lot of work to have a lot of fun
Planning board hits pause button on UNE pier
Following more than an hour of impassioned public testimony, the Biddeford Planning Board voted unanimously Wednesday to table further review of UNE’s controversial pier proposal until all board members can participate in a site walk. Although the Planning Board conducted a site walk at the university on June 9, board member Roch Angers was unable … Continue reading Planning board hits pause button on UNE pier
New manager explains her excitement about Biddeford
Truc Dever -- the woman hired to become Biddeford’s next city manager – told the Biddeford Gazette that she and her husband are excited about moving to Maine and have long referred to the state as their “forever home.” The Biddeford City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to hire Dever with a two -year contract that … Continue reading New manager explains her excitement about Biddeford
Downtown merchants struggle, remain hopeful
There has been almost endless talk on local social media sites about recent traffic congestion in Biddeford and Saco. The seven-month sewer upgrade project began in April and is expected to be completed in November. In the meantime, traffic sometimes becomes snarled near the cities' downtown core. That traffic and constant negative chatter on social … Continue reading Downtown merchants struggle, remain hopeful
City manager will earn $200k per year
The Biddeford City Council is expected Tuesday to confirm the appointment of Truc Dever as city manager. Dever is being offered a two-year contract that can be renewed. She will be paid a base salary of $195,000 during her first year of employment and $200,00 during her second year. Dever’s contract also includes a monthly … Continue reading City manager will earn $200k per year
A bittersweet day at JFK
Tuesday was an emotional day for teachers and staff at Biddeford’s John F. Kennedy Memorial School. The original building was opened in 1965, but a long list of necessary and expensive repairs, upgrades and maintenance issues ultimately forced voters to approve a plan to close the school. What will happen next to the building and … Continue reading A bittersweet day at JFK
NEWSLETTER: Things are looking good, real good
It’s been a while since my last newsletter, but I am feeling good about the Biddeford Gazette’s trajectory and its future. From time to time, I have to keep reminding myself that this publication is only four months old. We have come quite a way in just the last few weeks. We also have some … Continue reading NEWSLETTER: Things are looking good, real good
New twist in Sunday shooting incident
Victim says community needs to do more in addressing crime, mental health needs and homelessness in the downtown area Although his story has been shared in several other media outlets over the past 48 hours, Joshua Wolfe contacted the Biddeford Gazette in hopes of ending rumors and speculation about a shooting that happened in Biddeford … Continue reading New twist in Sunday shooting incident
Mayor defends city review of UNE pier proposal
During a sometimes terse and heated meeting, Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman defended the way the city has acted during the review of a controversial pier that the University of New England wants to construct on the Saco River. The nearly hour-long meeting was held at the request of John Schafer, the former chair of the … Continue reading Mayor defends city review of UNE pier proposal
Aquarium Science Center opens in Biddeford
Tucked away in one of Biddeford’s former mill buildings on Pearl Street, there is a growing and thriving display of underwater life – from tropical coral reefs to freshwater rivers and lakes. The Northeast Aquarium Science Center attracted hundreds of visitors Saturday during its grand-opening event that showcased several species of sea life and an … Continue reading Aquarium Science Center opens in Biddeford
City touts ‘major success’ in addressing homelessness
(From city personnel and previous stories by the Biddeford Gazette) Biddeford city officials say that a new partnership between the city and the Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Resource Center is delivering "real results" in addressing homelessness, with 43 individuals successfully housed since November through a "coordinated, compassionate approach." At the core of this success is what … Continue reading City touts ‘major success’ in addressing homelessness
Support for library, and a new bathhouse
Scores of Biddeford residents turned out Tuesday for the first of two public hearings on the city's proposed budget. Only one resident -- former City Councilor Michael Swanton -- suggested a budget cut, calling on the council to close and sell the city's public access television station on Pool Road. "Technology has zoomed by cable … Continue reading Support for library, and a new bathhouse
Joint budget workshop: ‘A Tough Pill to Swallow’
With a “challenging” budget hanging over their heads, members of the Biddeford City Council and the Biddeford School Committee participated in a joint workshop meeting Monday to examine the proposed budget. Monday’s joint meeting was a rare occurrence that has happened only once before over the past 10 years. “This is an unusual opportunity,” said … Continue reading Joint budget workshop: ‘A Tough Pill to Swallow’
Budget tensions include homeless funding
Last week, more than two dozen people appeared before the Biddeford City Council, each of them requesting varying amounts of public funding for their respective non-profit organizations. It is an annual process that is just one part of the city’s annual budget. None of the public presenters were questioned or challenged about their funding requests … Continue reading Budget tensions include homeless funding
OPINION: What is community? How much does it cost?
Former Biddeford Mayor Alan Casavant -- now the vice president of the non-profit Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center -- appeared before the Biddeford City Council Thursday to present his organization's annual funding request. Before the meeting started, Casavant was seated next to me in the back row of the council chamber. We made some small … Continue reading OPINION: What is community? How much does it cost?
Chamber director announces pending departure
After nearly seven years at the helm, Jim LaBelle announced Thursday that he will be stepping down as executive director of the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce + Industry. LaBelle, 60, said he plans to stay in place and help the Chamber with its transition to new leadership. “It’s not an easy decision because I really … Continue reading Chamber director announces pending departure
BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 