2025: A year of big changes in Biddeford

December 10, 2025December 11, 2025 ~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

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.

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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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Zoning Board sides with UNE

November 14, 2025November 14, 2025 ~ Randy Seaver ~ 1 Comment

The University of New England cleared another hurdle Thursday when the Biddeford Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) voted unanimously to reject an appeal of the university’s proposed research pier.

Although the Biddeford Planning Board narrowly approved the controversial pier in August, a group of private citizens – led by the former chair of the Biddeford Harbor Commission – filed an appeal of the planning board’s approval.

Thursday’s meeting lasted only a few minutes, despite an agenda packet of more than 3,000 pages of information related to the project.

*The Biddeford City Council Chamber was packed for Thursday’s Zoning Board of Appeals meeting regarding the University of New England’s proposed pier. (Seaver photo)*

ZBA members did not discuss specifics about the pier, its location or the city’s review process of the project. The discussion instead centered on whether the citizen appellants had legal standing to appeal the planning board’s prior approval.

Ron Schneider – the university’s senior attorney – told ZBA members that the citizen appellants had “no standing” to file an appeal because they were not injured by the planning board’s earlier approval.

Biddeford resident Matt Haas, a former UNE employee, spoke for the appellants and said the citizens group was made up of an “organic” group of citizens, including property abutters and mooring owners who will be displaced by the large pier.

Schneider rejected that argument, pointing out that only Schafer’s name was listed on the appeal filed in September.

“You cannot just add names as you go along,” Schneider argued before the ZBA, pointing out that Schafer lives more than a mile away from where the large pier will be built. “Otherwise, this just becomes a game of whack-a-mole.”

City Attorney Harry Center told the ZBA that they should send the issue back to the planning board for further review.

“New information has recently come to light,” Center said. “The appellants do have standing.”

Center previously supported the planning board’s decision but now says new information about a 250-foot, non-development buffer zone created nearly 25 years ago should trigger a reconsideration of that decision.

“This just becomes a game
of whack-a-mole.”
— Ron Schneider, UNE’s senior attorney

As originally reported in the Biddeford Gazette, that buffer zone was overlooked and not raised as an issue of concern during the nearly two-year review process.

RELATED: UNE approval tainted by agency error

The Biddeford City Council voted unanimously last week to seek guidance and advice from the Maine Attorney General’s Office about the buffer zone and its impact on the university’s plans.

When asked for comment about Thursday’s ZBA decision, a university spokesperson said the zoning board followed the city charter’s requirements for appeals.

“These rules exist to ensure fairness and clarity in the appeals process,” said Sarah Delage, vice president of communications.

“UNE looks forward to moving ahead with this important research facility that will benefit Maine’s marine environment, economy and students for generations to come,” she added. “We remain committed to being good neighbors and responsible community partners.”

When asked about next steps for the citizen’s coalition, Haas said the group has to rely on the city council for relief.

“The city seems to understand the significance of the buffer zone, and it is heartening to see them pursue that issue with the attorney general’s office,” he said.

“This is not the end of the story,” Haas said.

______________

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

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At-Large candidates Lessard, Vadnais share concerns about UNE pier

October 26, 2025October 26, 2025 ~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

By RANDY SEAVER, Editor

The Biddeford Gazette asked the three At-Large city council candidates to share their thoughts and concerns about the controversial pier being proposed by the University of New England (UNE).

Last week, we reached out to the two candidates vying for the Ward One seat, which represents Biddeford’s coastal neighborhoods, about their thoughts and concerns regarding UNE’s proposal.

At-Large candidate Lisa Vadnais attended last week’s Citizen’s Grievance meeting about UNE’s proposal but did not address the council.

At-Large candidate Marc Lessard – currently serving as an At-Large representative — was required to attend the meeting.

At-Large candidate Nasreen Sheik-Yousef was not seen at Thursday’s meeting. She also did not return our requests for comment about the pier or the city’s review process.

During the Grievance meeting, several citizens raised concerns about the controversial pier project. Most of the commentary focused upon how the city has handled the review process for the university’s project.

Vadnais said she heard little about UNE’s proposal until last year, when media scrutiny of the project caused controversy.

“I attended the citizen’s grievance meeting to have a better understanding of the impact to the people that will be affected by this decision,” Vadnais said.

“After hearing from the citizens, there is no doubt the entire process was handled badly,” she added. “I do not feel it was in the best interest to remove the harbormaster from a process that would have benefited greatly by his expertise.”

Lessard agreed with Vadnais about the removal of both the harbormaster and assistant harbormaster. He also objected to Mayor Marty Grohman’s attempts earlier this year to remove Roch Angers from the Biddeford Planning Board, after Angers raised concerns about the review process.

“I suppose if you eliminate enough of the people that question the path we are on, eventually you only have one path left.” Lessard said.

“I suppose if you eliminate enough
of the people that question the path
we are on, eventually you only have
one path left.”
— Councilor Marc Lessard

Lessard said the former city manager’s removal of the harbormaster was just another example of why the citizens “have little to no trust in our city’s leadership.”

Vadnais described UNE’s insistence regarding the pier’s location as “hypocrisy” on the school’s part.

“Their focus is all about sustaining and protecting the environment, but it seems like they are ready to abandon an agreement they made about a 250-foot buffer zone,” she said. “Their proposed location will have a negative impact on both commercial fishing and the environment. It makes no sense.”

Lessard says he has tried — on multiple occasions — to have a discussion about the controversial pier at a city council meeting.

“We have missed numerous opportunities to give all parties more time to discuss their concerns and come to a mutually agreed to resolution.” Lessard said. “Instead, the city decided to remove the Harbor Master and Assistant Harbor Master and thought this would help the process.”

If reelected, Lessard said his plan would be to review the decision, accentuate where the city went wrong, and come to an agreement that everyone can support.

He also offered some advice to the university: “Be a better neighbor.”

_________________

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

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Tensions run high during Planning Board review of UNE’s proposed pier

July 17, 2025July 17, 2025 ~ Randy Seaver ~ 3 Comments

Following a rather tense and emotionally-charged discussion, the Biddeford Planning Board voted 3-2 Wednesday to give preliminary site approval for the University of New England’s proposed research pier.

The controversial pier proposal has generated widespread public discourse for more than a year, even before the application was formally submitted in June 2024.

*This aerial photograph shows the proposed location of the University of New England’s proposed research pier (UNE Photo)*

Opponents – including area fishermen, private mooring owners and neighbors – have consistently said they wanted the university to consider an alternative location that was proposed by Harbormaster Paul Lariviere nearly two years ago.

City Attorney Harry Center, however, told board members that the so-called “alternative location” was not part of UNE’s application and thus, not subject to review and/or approval by the board.

City Planner David Galbraith began the discussion with an emotional statement, saying he has been vilified by project opponents and that “personal attacks” have called into question both his integrity and professionalism.

“I have been doing this for 30 years, and I have never been subjected to such malicious comments,” Galbraith told the board. “I and others involved in the review of this proposal have gone out of our way to be open, transparent and accommodating.”

Galbraith told the board that he was especially angry about a recent YouTube video that was posted by a anonymous Facebook page known as “UNE Pier Review.”

“Frankly, I am appalled,” Galbraith said. “I assure you that my integrity is worth much more than what any developer could offer me.”

“I have been doing this for 30 years,
and I have never been subjected
to such malicious comments.”
— City Planner David Galbraith

Planning Board Member Susan Deschambault reminded her fellow board members that the university’s proposal has already been reviewed and approved by several other agencies, including the Saco River Corridor Commission, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S, Army Corps of Engineers.

But alternate board member Kayla Lewis said she could understand why opponents and other members of the public were feeling angry and frustrated.

“UNE did exactly what they were supposed to do in submitting their application to us,” Lewis said. “But we also have to acknowledge and recognize that this review process has had a shaky foundation. Somewhere along the line, things got very blurred.”

Roch Angers was one of the two board members who voted against approval of the project.

“I have a lot of mixed feelings about the process,” Angers said. “But that has nothing to do with our city planner, who I think has done an outstanding job.”

Center told the board that the city’s ordinances are clear and that there is no legal basis for consideration of potential impacts to mooring owners or fishermen in the Shoreland Zoning Ordinance. Center also told the board that any concerns about the harbormaster being removed from the review process were also not relevant for the board’s consideration.

Resident Kyle Noble questioned why the Planning Board was even considering the application after what he described as a “faulty review process.”

“This is a once in a lifetime project,” Noble told the board. “And it’s forever.”

A UNE spokesperson said the university was pleased about the board’s preliminary vote.

“We were also encouraged by the comments made by city staff and planning board members correcting a number of false statements that have been made about the project,” said Sarah Delage, associate vice president of communications for the university. “We look forward to a final vote at the next meeting.”

John Schafer, the former chair of Biddeford’s Harbor Commission, has been a leading opponent of the university’s proposal.

“Obviously, I am very disappointed,” Shafer said during a brief interview Thursday. “There was a lot of misinformation thrown at the board and they acted mostly in lock-step. From my perspective, it seems that their decision was already made before the meeting started.”

NOTE: Board members Roch Angers and Matt Dubois voted in opposition to the application; Board Members Larry Patoine and Susan Deschambault voted in favor of the application. Board Chair Alexa Plotkin broke the tie, voting in the affirmative for the applicant (UNE). Kayla Lewis is an alternate, non-voting member of the board.

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

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