All Articles

By Alan Bennett, University of New England, Office of Communications "Residents in Biddeford and Portland report the University's highest ratings for reputation, integrity, and community impact". View the full survey results June 22, 2026, The University of New England today released the results of a comprehensive public opinion survey conducted by Emerson College Polling, finding strong levels of support, trust, and confidence in the University across Maine. Ratings were esp

~In addition, "since the Interim City Manager does not live within commuting distance, the City will pay for overnight accommodations at the government rate."~ June 15, 2026, As announced on June 3, Mayor Liam LaFountain nominated Cornell Knight of Bar Harbor to be Biddeford's newest Interim City Manager. According to meeting documents, if approved at tomorrow's City Council meeting, "the Interim City Manager will serve in that role until the permanent City Manager is appoint

~Letter to the Buzz~ June 11, 2026 By Mike Burman, Saco Resident and Former City Councilor Ward 4 I’ve been following the TA-Saco situation carefully, including the meeting on Wednesday June 10th. To be honest, I found the whole thing embarrassing. For context, I have served two terms as City Councilor for Ward 4, served on the Saco School District strategic planning committee, served as founding member of the Saco Education Foundation (originally Saco STEAM), am a Profess

"Menard just upped the anti... and it's getting kind of intense." June 9, 2026, For those following the contract negotiations between Thornton Academy and the Saco School Department, Menard just upped the anti... and it's getting kind of intense. Basically (and in the words of a millennial) in one single action, TA Headmaster Rene Menard said, "ok, you want to see gangsta? Enjoy tomorrow's school board meeting Superintendent Jeremy Ray". Say what you want about him, Menard is

-Attorney Sartoris’ framing of the word “Accidents.” is important. How many times have you heard, “Sorry, it was just an accident.” The connotation of “accident” is that no one is at fault.- By Patrick Conlon, Founder Bike BS June 3, 2026, Very recently Maines’ Cumberland County District Attorney Jackie Sartoris vowed to bring criminal and/or civil charges against drivers who cause crashes that injure our most vulnerable road users, pedestrians and bicyclists. In 2025 Cumber

By Danica Lamontagne, City of Biddeford Communications, Contributing Writer June 3, 2026, Mayor Liam LaFountain today announced his nomination of Cornell Knight to serve as Interim City Manager for the City of Biddeford. The nomination will be presented to the Biddeford City Council for consideration at its meeting on Tuesday, June 16th. If confirmed, Knight would begin serving as Interim City Manager on June 17th. Knight brings more than four decades of Maine municipal manag

June 2, 2026, This evening, Biddeford City Councilors voted 6 to 3 to table a proposed Manufactured Housing Ordinance indefinitely. Councilors, Vadnais, Lessard, Pierson, Doughty, Boston, and Beaupre voted in favor Whereas, Councilors, Cote, Woods, and Kurtz opposed tabling the ordinance. There was quite of bit of discussion from the council as well as comments from members of the public on the ordinance. After listening to the council discuss the topic, it seems the reason f

By Loren McCready, Biddeford Buzz, Contributing Writer Biddeford is at a crucial point in its Comprehensive Plan process. This Wednesday, the Planning Board will review several major chapters, including Natural Resources, Water Resources, Existing Land Use, and Future Land Use. Soon after, the plan will move to the City Council for final approval before being sent back to the state. This matters because the Comprehensive Plan helps determine where growth happens, where public

June 1, 2026, Earlier today at 3:00PM, Biddeford officals and community members gathered in front of Biddeford City Hall for a ceremonial raising of the LGBTQ+ Flag in honor of Pride Month. According to city officials, "June is Pride Month—a time to celebrate love, visibility, equality, and community." City Staffer Danica Lamontagne explained, "When flags are displayed on the flagpole outside City Hall, it is by request of a resident or community group. Any events to raise th

May 26, 2026, According to University of New England’s Associate Vice President of Communications, Sarah Delage, "University of New England (UNE) today announced it has filed an appeal in Maine Superior Court after a series of actions by the City of Biddeford that have disrupted approved projects, undermined established regulatory processes, and jeopardized significant investments in the community." The legal action follows the Biddeford Zoning Board of Appeals’ decision to u

By Danica Lamontagne, City of Biddeford Communications, Contributing Writer May 20, 2026, At the June 9, 2026 Election, voters who are registered to the Democratic Party or Republican Party will participate in their party's Primary Election for U.S. Senator, Representative to Congress, Governor, State Senator, State Representative, County Treasurer, Register of Deeds, Sheriff, District Attorney, and County Commissioner. If you are a registered voter but are unenrolled, you ca

“Our findings tell us something really significant. Maine businesses want to be here, Maine investors want to be part of the Maine economy,” By Katie Clark, MSCCMDF, Contributing Writer May 12, 2026, The Maine State Chamber of Commerce and Maine Development Foundation today released Maine Economic Vision 2035, a new long-term economic roadmap outlining key goals and policy priorities to strengthen Maine’s competitiveness, support workforce and wage growth, increase investment

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

"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

“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