A difficult week of wins and losses
Tag: Truc Dever
Biddeford City Manager leaving her post
A deeper dive into Monday's news about the Biddeford City Manager's planned -- yet unexpected -- resignation.
Council aims for ‘bare bones’ city budget
City Manager finds some significant savings while councilors consider deep cuts to social service funding requests; a public hearing will be held tonight By RANDY SEAVER | Editor At the start of the Biddeford City Council’s budget workshop meeting on Monday, City Manager Truc Dever walked members of the council through several pages of a … Continue reading Council aims for ‘bare bones’ city budget
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
NEWS | City eyes new economic development director
City manager nominates a candidate with extensive experience in development and growth at universities and colleges By DANICA LAMONTANGE | City of Biddeford Biddeford City Manager Truc Dever is asking the city council to support her nomination of Brian Clark as the city of Biddeford’s next economic development director. Clark is a senior leader and … Continue reading NEWS | City eyes new economic development director
Biddeford City Clerk resigns
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor According to multiple sources, Biddeford City Clerk Robin Patterson will be resigning her position, effective April 10 this year. City Manager Truc Dever sent an email message to all city staff and elected officials, notifying them of Patterson's decision. City Clerk Robin Patterson (City photo) There was no information available at … Continue reading Biddeford City Clerk resigns
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
UNE considers gas line extension project
From staff reports Representatives from the University of New England say they are now in “early conversations” with Biddeford city officials about the possibility of extending a natural gas line from the city’s downtown area, along the Rte. 9 corridor, to the school’s Biddeford campus. A UNE spokesperson said the potential infrastructure project could bring … Continue reading UNE considers gas line extension project
NEWSLETTER: Warm thoughts on a cold day
Feedback from our readers reinforces the Gazette's mission statement Wow! What a busy week it’s been. In a few moments, I’ll be headed out the door and on my way to this year’s WinterFest activities in downtown Biddeford. WinterFest is so much than just a giant man-made sledding hill on Adams Street. It is now … Continue reading NEWSLETTER: Warm thoughts on a cold day
Biddeford city manager: Cheering for the Seahawks on Sunday?
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Nearly 128 million people are expected to watch Sunday’s Superbowl Championship game between the 17-3 New England Patriots and the 16-3 Seattle Seahawks. One of those people who will be watching the Superbowl LX game on television is Biddeford’s relatively new city manager Truc Dever. Dever relocated to Biddeford last summer … Continue reading Biddeford city manager: Cheering for the Seahawks on Sunday?
City facing $500k in IRS penalties, fines
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor The city of Biddeford is now facing roughly $500,000 in penalties and fines from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). According to City Manager Truc Dever, the issue traces back to 2021 when the city failed to submit specific forms detailing employee health insurance. “Initially, the fines and penalties were approximately $700,000,” … Continue reading City facing $500k in IRS penalties, fines
Lessard: ‘I am not so ready to hold hands and sing Kumbaya’
Finance Committee takes a closer look at how a downtown parking plan was funded By RANDY SEAVER, Editor A controversial and temporary downtown parking program will be reviewed by the Biddeford City Council at its next meeting, Feb. 3. As first reported in the Biddeford Gazette earlier this week, Mayor Liam LaFountain and members of the city … Continue reading Lessard: ‘I am not so ready to hold hands and sing Kumbaya’
2025: A year of big changes in Biddeford
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 … Continue reading 2025: A year of big changes in Biddeford
OPINION: Let the healing begin
When it comes to former city manager James Bennett, Mayor Marty Grohman is correct. The city needs closure from a nightmare that has been hanging over City Hall for several years. After finally being "placed on administrative leave" in February, Bennet filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the city. Though the city countered Bennett’s claims … Continue reading OPINION: Let the healing begin
‘Town Hall’ meeting draws questions and concerns
Roughly 40 Biddeford residents turned out Tuesday for a “town hall” style meeting in order to learn more and ask questions about two local bond questions that will appear on the November ballot. Various city officials and department heads took turns presenting information and fielding questions from concerned residents during the hour-long meeting. Biddeford residents … Continue reading ‘Town Hall’ meeting draws questions and concerns
Chamber will host annual Ten Talks event
[Contributed Sory] The Biddeford Saco Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its annual Ten Talks & Silent Auction on Wednesday, October 15. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. at River Winds Farm and Estate in Saco. Organizers say that "this much-anticipated community event blends thought-provoking talks with an engaging silent auction," all in a … Continue reading Chamber will host annual Ten Talks event
City manager outlines goals and objectives
Biddeford City Manager Truc Dever took to the podium during Tuesday’s city council meeting to provide a snapshot of her objectives and goals over the next several months. According to Dever’s employment contract, she is required to provide the council with “specific, measurable performance goals” within 60 days of taking over the helm at City … Continue reading City manager outlines goals and objectives
Residents collect enough signatures to invoke a special meeting
Members of a grassroots coalition that are pushing for a public airing of grievance meeting announced Thursday that they have collected far more than the 100-signatures of registered Biddeford voters they need in order invoke a “General Meeting of Citizens.” “It really wasn’t hard to get the signatures,” said Carole Alexander, the wife of Biddeford’s … Continue reading Residents collect enough signatures to invoke a special meeting
UNE pier opponents ramp up their efforts
Even as the University of New England begins construction of its controversial research pier, opponents of the project are ramping up their own efforts and raising new concerns about how the City of Biddeford handled its review of the project. A group of Biddeford residents are now circulating a petition to require the mayor and … Continue reading UNE pier opponents ramp up their efforts
Meet the new boss; Truc Dever takes the helm at City Hall
By JIM KRAUSE, Contributing Writer Truc Dever – Biddeford’s new city manager – took over the helm at City Hall just a few weeks ago. She sat down with us for a one-on-one interview and happily answered a wide range of questions about her background, hobbies and management style. Before taking on her new job … Continue reading Meet the new boss; Truc Dever takes the helm at City Hall
BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 