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By: Jason Litalien, Contributing Writer, Independent Candidate Maine Senate 32 Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is a program from the State that allows us to retain additional tax money received from that district without having to share it with the County or the State. When structured properly, TIFs can be a great tool for redevelopment. Unfortunately, that is where part of the problem begins. Another part of the problem is the Credit Enhancement Agreement, which is a public su

By Karen Garnett, Contributing Writer May 7, 2026, What does learning look like when it extends beyond the classroom walls? At the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology (BRCOT), it looks like students crawling through attic spaces to run cable, navigating century-old brick walls, and braving the elements to bring real projects to life across the community. Students in BRCOT’s Electrical and Plumbing programs are gaining hands-on experience while contributing to meaningful l

"If the proposed rate increase is approved it could go into effect by May 12, 2027" May 6, 2026, Residents from Saco, Biddeford, and Old Orchard Beach, met this evening at Saco City Hall to testify in front of State of Maine Public Utilities Commissioners and representives from Maine Water, regarding a recent proposed increase of approximately 26% for water bills of residents in the Saco-Biddeford area. L-R: Commissioner Carolyn Gilbert, Comissioner Philip Bartlett Utilities

"...in an effort to involve community members, Stantec will be hosting "public engagement feedback sessions, during the planning process". May 5, 2026, This past February we published a story announcing the City of Biddeford was "accepting proposals for the 5-Points intersection" located in the area of 392 Elm Street. The previous article about the proposal announcment can be viewed here: https://www.biddefordbuzz.com/post/biddeford-city-accepting-proposals-for-5-points-inte

"My belief is that.... the moratorium was in effect" - ZBA Board Member May 4, 2026, A big win for those who have expressed opposition to the University of New England building a new pier along the Saco River - at tonight's Biddeford Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) hearing, the ZBA voted to uphold the City's recent application denials issued to the University of New England pertaining to trees being "cleared" along the waterway, as well as the demolition of a building (Leonard

By Loren McCready, Contributing Writer April 30, 2026, The development at the end of Barra Road, including the recently announced Thatcher Brook Apartments, is being presented as progress in Biddeford. A closer look shows a pattern of decisions that prioritize speed and private return over long-term planning and public benefit. The financial structure makes that plain. Three separate Tax Increment Financing districts (TIFs) have been established for this area, along with a Cr

“I want to take a moment to thank Truc for her service to the city over these last nine months…. Looking ahead, the city will be engaging an interim city manager and a process from outside the organization... I know, this process will raise a lot of questions, and I want you to know that the council and I are committed and focused on serving the residents of Biddeford and keeping all of you involved. ” - Mayor Liam LaFountain, Biddeford April 28, 2026, This evening, Mayor LaF

April 27, 2026, the following letter was sent this evening to Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain from University of New England President Dr. James Herbert. In the letter, Dr. Herbert writes to the Mayor to discuss "current inability of the City leadership and the University to work together constructively." Later in the letter, Herbert reminds LaFountain, "As you know, you are in receipt of correspondence from UNE on April 15 requesting that you agree to an independent mediator

"Stepping away is a matter of professional integrity and self-respect... It is difficult for me to acknowledge, but I will be candid and say that had the full extent of these conditions---and the limitations imposed on this role-been apparent when I applied, I would not have pursued the position." April 27, 2026, Earlier today we shared the news that recently hired Biddeford City Manager Truc Dever has submitted her resignation to Mayor LaFountain and City Councilors effectiv

By Danica Lamontagne, Contributing Writer April 27, 2026, Truc Dever, hired last summer to replace former city manager Jim Bennett, submitted her letter of resignation to the Biddeford City Council and Mayor Liam LaFountain Sunday evening. During her time in Biddeford, Dever led the City through a difficult and demanding FY27 budget season and supported ongoing municipal operations. In her letter of resignation, the outgoing city manager acknowledged "the scope and complexity

April 23, 2026, A big change was made earlier today to federal cannabis policy by the Trump Administration when Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche, officially reclassified cannabis from a Schedule 1, to a Schedule 3 Substance. A release from the Justice Department explains that the reclassification "Places FDA-Approved Marijuana Products and Products Containing Marijuana Subject to a Qualifying State-issued License in Schedule III, Strengthening Medical Research While Ma

By Chelsea Miller, Contributed Story “At the heart of this is a simple belief: Maine’s kids deserve to be safe, seen and supported, right here at home,” says Mark Jones, CEO of Saco & Biddeford Savings. April 21 2026, Saco & Biddeford Savings and Paquin & Carroll Insurance are proud to announce their $20,000 donation to Sweetser in support of the construction of Maine’s first Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) on Sweetser’s Saco campus.​This transformative proj

April 20, 2026, below is a letter from Ward 6 City Councilor Jake Pierson. In the letter, Councilor Pierson explains to Biddeford residents why City Council is unable to "tax different properties at different rates". Please see the Councilor's letter below: The city of Biddeford is currently in the time of the year affectionately known as ‘budget season.’ Hard decisions and complex discussions are the name of the game during this season. As I’ve sat on the dais during our de

By Danica Lamontagne, Contributing Writer April 20, 2026, We are pleased to share that the City Hall Clock Tower has received an Honor Award from Maine Preservation. Biddeford's original city hall was lost to a catastrophic fire on New Years Day in 1895 Architect John Calvin Stevens was commissioned to design its replacement. Using primarily brick and granite, Stevens executed the building in the Renaissance Revival stvle. The 135-foot clock tower (pictured below) was outfitt

"We can't be the nucleus for York County for the homelessness situation... we can't do it for every city" April 14, 2026, At last night's Budget Committee meeting, At-large Councilor Lisa Vadnais addressed fellow councilors outlining hey concerns contrasting cuts to essential services and municipal city funding requests. "All these people, the essential services in our city, taking the amount of cuts that we're doing, it just doesn't seem right to give a million dollars to th

April 10, 2026, this coming Monday (April 13th), Gorham Sand & Gravel will begin construction on the Alfred Street Sewer Separation Project to combine sewer lines on Alfred Street (between Summer Street and Porter Street), as well as Mt. Vernon Street, Birch Street, and Porter Street. The project is expected to run from approximately April 13, 2026 to October, 23, 2026, and will take place in 6 phases, each phase lasting approximately 1 month. For your convenience, the Biddef

April 8, 2026, the University of New England sent the following statement to the Biddeford Buzz regarding the City of Biddeford’s recent decision to appeal the "Saco River Corridor Commission Case ", please see below: "UNE has learned that the City of Biddeford plans to appeal a York County court’s decision to dismiss the city’s lawsuit against the Saco River Corridor Commission. We strongly believe this appeal is frivolous, without any merit, and an unfortunate waste of taxp

By Danica Lamontagne, Contributing Writer April 8, 2026, The City of Biddeford today filed an appeal to the Maine Supreme Judicial Court following the Superior Court’s dismissal of the City’s challenge to a permit issued by the Saco River Corridor Commission (SRCC). The City is seeking a legal determination on whether the Commission acted within its authority when it issued a 2024 permit for the construction of a pier within the Saco River Corridor that ignored a longstandin

🗣ATTENTION! YOUR VOICE IS NEEDED! *THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK DIRECTLY TO CITY COUNCILORS AND STAFF* April 6, 2026, The next City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 7 at 6 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers and via Microsoft Teams. At the meeting, there will be a Public Hearing on the City of Biddeford's City Government Budget as presented by the City Manager. In addition, the 2nd Reading (which includes a vote) on the amended Household Waste De

"Applications can be picked up at Biddeford Housing Authority during normal business hours. Alternatively, if you would like an application mailed to you, have questions or need assistance, please call Biddeford Housing Authority at (207)282-6537 or email Dorothy Guindon at dguindon@bhousing.org" April 3, 2026, According to officials, Residents seeking affordable housing opportunities in Biddeford are now able to submit their application to live at the nearly completed Adams