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"...the termination clause of the contract states the city may terminate employment without cause, however will require a 6 month salary lump sum payout." October 29, 2026, According to the proposed contract from the City of Biddeford for the Hiring of the New City Manager Laurie Smith, if approved at the city council meeting scheduled for November, 5, 2026, Smith will receive: -215k/Year -24 Paid Vacation Days -Health Insurance -Life Insurance -$600/month Vehicle Allowance.

Submitted by Biddeford Housing Authority October 27, 2026, Eric Burmeister, an experienced housing and community development professional with decades of experience in real estate development, finance, and affordable housing, has been appointed as a Commissioner to the Biddeford Housing Authority (BHA) Board and as a Director to the Southern Maine Affordable Housing (SMAH) Board. L-R Emhiser and Burmeister In addition, William Emhiser will also serve in both roles, bringing a

Submitted by City of Biddeford and University of New England October 8, 2026, The City of Biddeford and the University of New England have announced an important milestone in a collaborative effort to advance key projects that support education, research, economic vitality, and the long-term interests of the Biddeford community. On October 6, the Biddeford City Council voted to lift the moratorium affecting the University's proposed research pier and Decary Hall renovation pr

October 6, 2026, At tonight's City Council meeting, councilors voted unanimously in facor of accepting the proposed language for Biddeford’s new "ICE Ordinance". In very simple form, the ordinance essentially expresses sentiments limiting city leadership and departments from working directly with Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agents and was created by utilizing exsisting ordinances in Lewiston and Portland. This vote comes two and a half months since the ICE shooting de

"Important to note, by tabling the ordinance to gain greater clarity, the committee is trying to ensure that when the document reaches the City Council, they do not have to send it back to policy committee to be reworked, saving time in the process." September 28, 2026, In a 4 to 1 vote, members of the City of Biddeford Policy Committee voted to table an ordinance brought forward this evening pertaining to "Surveillance Technology Oversight". "I read the ordinance 2, 3, 4 tim

"Regardless of the approach taken by the Council, enforcement of immigration law rests exclusively with the Federal Government." September 16, 2026, Last night, Biddeford City Solicitor Harry Center provided Mayor LaFountain and the City Council, with a memo including 11 ordinances City Leadership could adapt, in an effort to limit ICE operations in Biddeford. According to centers memo, "the Council may take the approach of Rockland and Lewiston and pass the attached ordinanc

Episode 1: Here's Where Things Stand "Biddeford | Addiction and Opioid Settlement Funds “Is the city of Bidderford effectively utilizing opioid settlement funds to fight the current opioid crisis plaguing its residents.” September 10, 2026, Per city ordinance adopted in 2024, Biddeford’s City Council received its required annual Opioid Settlement Fund update at their September 1st city council meeting. According to Jake Hammer, Biddeford’s General Assistance Administrator, si

“Biddeford residents raised legitimate questions about whether that longstanding shoreline protection was being honored,” Mayor Liam LaFountain said. “We wanted those questions investigated, and we deserved answers.” By Danica Lamontagne, City of Biddeford September 8, 2026, The City of Biddeford will conclude its pending appeal concerning the Saco River Corridor Commission’s 2024 approval of the University of New England research pier after the Commission voted to extend UNE

"In addition, Knight informed residents of an upcoming billing increase of approximately 32%." September 2, 2026, At last night's city council meeting, Interim City Manager Cornell Knight informed Mayor LaFountain and city councilors the city has been overbilling residents for sewer fees for the past 6 years. If the above sentence got your blood boiling a bit, do not read this next sentence - In addition, Knight informed residents of an upcoming billing increase of approximat

By Danica Lamontagne, City of Biddeford August 28, 2026, Mayor Liam LaFountain has nominated Jessica Muise as the City of Biddeford’s next City Councilor for Ward 4. Muise would fill the seat made vacant by former Councilor Dylan Doughty for the remainder of the current term, which expires in December 2027. Her appointment is subject to confirmation by the City Council on Tuesday, September 1. “I am honored to be nominated to serve Ward 4 on the City Council,” Muise said. “I

"...the police department has expended roughly $35,000 in overtime funds, just in the matter of a month... As we continue to wait for the final results of what the AG is going to do, irrespective of anything else we should be made whole... because we didn't cause this event." August 25, 2026, A unique moment played out this past tuesday at the Biddeford City Council Meeting. During Biddeford City Council President Roger Beaupre's closing remarks of the meeting, while discussi

August 19, 2026, At last night's City Council meeting, individuals representing the Biddeford Community Recovery Center (BCRC), spoke before Mayor LaFountain and the Biddeford City Council, sharing both the purpose and vision of a community recovery center located in Biddeford, as well as to request an "event fee waiver" for their organization's ulcoming "2nd Annual Recovery Revival of York County (RR)" event. The revival event, scheduled to take place on September 12, 2026 f

~Letter to the Buzz~ By Kelsey Cummings, Ward 5 August 19, 2026, Obviously, how the government should work is a hot topic right now. But it should work, right? There’s a difference between a dysfunctional government and a non-functioning one, and now we’re far past the breaking point. Biddeford has endured everything from delays in codes, vacancies throughout the city, misconduct, lawsuits, late audits, federal employees intimidating our communities, skyrocketing rent, never-

"I did not hear back from the auditor last week". - Cornell Knight, Biddeford Interim City Manager August 18, 2026, After over a year of waiting with multiple delays and approval of additional expenses to cover the work, Biddeford residents were once again informed, that the City of Biddeford’s 2024 financial audit (yes you read the date right), is still not complete. At tonight's city council meeting, Interim City Manager Cornell Knight informed Mayor LaFountain and the Bidd

~One notable comment came from Ward 4 resident Kathryn Crowley who expressed concern pertaining to the City of Biddeford paying contracted employees, even once employment has been terminated due to said employee being found guilty of "neglect and fraud".~ August 10, 2026, Tonight, the Biddeford Charter Commission held an open comment period for residents of Biddeford to better understand what concerns exsist regarding the current City Charter. A city charter is a foundational

By Sam Pecor, Commissioner for Ward 7 August 8, 2026, The Charter Commission holds its first public hearing Monday, August 10, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. It’s the first real chance for residents to tell us what this commission ought to be looking at, and the workshop right after is where we start sorting the charter into the pieces we’ll work through. If you’ve ever wondered what a charter commission does between the election that created it and the ba

"Applications are due by Friday, August 14 at 5:00 PM." By Danica Lamontagne, City of Biddeford Communications, Contributing Writer August 5, 2026, Mayor Liam LaFountain is inviting eligible Ward 4 residents to apply for appointment to the vacant Ward 4 seat on the Biddeford City Council following the resignation of Councilor Dylan Doughty. The City Council accepted Councilor Doughty's resignation at its Tuesday, August 4 meeting. Under the Biddeford City Charter, the Mayor w

July 30, 2026, Letter of resignation: Mayor LaFountain, Council President Beaupre, and Fellow Councilors, It is with a heavy heart that I submit my resignation from the Biddeford City Council due to an upcoming change in my residence that will place me outside the boundaries of Ward 4. My husband and I have been searching for a new home for well over a year. After several unsuccessful offers on homes within Ward 4, we finally found a home that we are excited to begin the next

“It was entirely my fault, I apologize…. If I slip up again, I would fully expect at nothing less, to be reprimanded, or worse.” - Councilor Kurtz, Ward 5 July 28, 2026, At the beginning of tonight's City Council meeting, Ward 5 Councilor David Kurtz addressed the Mayor, fellow councilors, and meeting attendees to apologize for "profanity" he used while speaking during a special city council meeting on July 21, 2026. Biddeford Ward 5 Councilor David Kurtz apologizes following

By Danica Lamontagne, City of Biddeford Communications July 20, 2026, The Biddeford City Council will hold its first meeting on Tuesday, July 21, since the fatal shooting of Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero by federal immigration agents. The regularly scheduled meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. in the Little Theater at Biddeford High School to accommodate anticipated community attendance. Following the tragic shooting in Biddeford on Monday, July 13, Mayor Liam LaFountain and mem