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By Victoria Foley, Contributing Writer The proposed increase is approximately 26%, far outpacing inflation May 8, 2026, House Speaker Ryan Fecteau (D-Biddeford), Senator Henry Ingwersen (D-York), and Representative Marc Malon (D-Biddeford), today issued the following statements in opposition to a 26% rate increase proposed by Maine Water: “This request could not come at a worse time for ratepayers who are facing strained household budgets just about everywhere they turn. This

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 Karen Garnett, Contributing Writer April 30, 2026, More than 700 Biddeford High School (BHS) students in grades 8 through 12 stepped outside the classroom and into the community on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, for their Third Annual Community Service Day. Fueled by the values of Tiger PRIDE (Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Dependability, and Engagement), students dedicate their April Tiger PRIDE day to meaningful engagement and community impact by spending the day working

“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 26, 2026, below is a statement from Vassie Fowler, Executive Director for Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Center, pertaining to recent public dialog regarding the center and 2027 city budget propsoal - please see below: By Vassie Fowler, Executive Director, Seeds of Hope THE TRUTH ABOUT BIDDEFORD’S OVERNIGHT PROGRAM, AND WHAT NO ONE HAS BEEN SAYING For weeks, Seeds of Hope has remained quiet while misinformation, assumptions, and personal attacks have circulated online and i

April 23, 2026, In case you missed it, similarly to Portland, the City of Biddeford adopted a "Vacant Building Registration and Fee Ordinance" on April 1, 2025. City officials cited the purpose of the ordinance as a remedy to address what they deem as "negative impacts" from vacant buildings in Biddeford. According to the ordinance, A "vacant building" is a building or structure, regardless of its zoning designation, that meets either of the following criteria: Unoccupied or

April 22, 2026, It's official, starting 30 days from today, Biddeford residents will be limited to 2 orange city overflow trash bags per weekly pickup, per residence (with the exception of Thanksgiving and Christmas). At last night’s City Council meeting, councilors voted unanimously to approve the proposed updated language change in the City’s Household Waste Ordinance, as well as the implementation of a "2 bag overflow limit per week". We first reported on this back in Marc

"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

By Danica Lamontagne, Contributing Writer March 26, 2026, The City of Biddeford has contracted with Gorham Sand & Gravel to separate combined 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 being completed as part of the City of Biddeford’s ongoing sewer separation efforts as required by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. The previous single-pipe sewer system w