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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

"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

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

April 15, 2026, As budget discussions continue in the City of Biddeford, residents continue to voice their concerns to city leaders both in-person and by email. With that being said, former Biddeford City Councilor Bobby Mills asked us to share a letter that he sent to the City Council pertaining to the "social service budget" and funding essential services. Mills letter reads: "Let’s talk about the social service budget. I am not discounting any organization or member at all

"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

"The future of our workforce depends on exactly the type of training offered at Maine's community colleges," said House Speaker Ryan Fecteau (D-Biddeford). "It's not just an opportunity for students to learn -- it's an opportunity for our economy to thrive." April 12, 2026, this past Friday (April 10), Governor Janet Mills signed Maine's Fiscal Year 2026--2027 supplemental budget (LD 2212) that was enacted by the legislature earlier this week. The signing took place at Easter

April 8, 2026, Earlier today we shared comments made by Ward 7 Councilor Brad Cote pertaining to rising taxes and resident's participating in city council meetings. Brad Cote Since sharing Councilor Cote's earlier comments, he has publicly issued the following apology: "I would like to apologize for my earlier comment regarding getting people to attend meetings and get involved. I was frustrated that I spend a bunch of time working on different City issues and what I read onl

Contributed Story, Kenneth Blow Campaign April 7, 2026, Kenneth Blow, a 63-year-old Independent and longtime Old Orchard Beach town councilor, has announced his candidacy for State Representative in District 131. Running as an unenrolled candidate, Blow plans to fund a traditional campaign without accepting outside donations. Kenneth Blow “I don’t believe we need to be taking sides and pointing fingers at each other,” Blow said. “That’s what’s happening now in Augusta, and it

By Victoria Foley, Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications, Speaker of the House Ryan D. Fecteau April 7, 2026, Speaker of the House Ryan D. Fecteau (D-Biddeford) issued the following statement following the Supreme Court ruling against a Colorado law banning ‘conversion therapy’ for LGBTQ+ minors that took place on April 4: “Today’s [April 4, 2026] ruling from the Court is dangerous. It legitimizes an overwhelmingly discredited practice that causes harm to young people. Her

"An Act to Strengthen Consumer Protections by Prohibiting Liens on Principal Residences and Wage Garnishments for Medical Debt, was sponsored by Sen. Donna Bailey of Saco, a cancer survivor who has championed Legislative efforts to safeguard Maine people from harmful impacts of medical debt." April 6, 2026, According to a press release sent directly to the Biddeford Buzz earlier today, Governor Janet Mills announced the signing of "LD 2129, legislation to protect Maine people

🗣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 Brian Lee, Contributed Story April 3, 2026, Today, Gov. Janet Mills signed into law a measure sponsored by Rep. Marc Malon, D-Biddeford, that will help safeguard Mainers from gambling addiction by prohibiting the use of credit cards in online wagers. As amended, LD 2080 will prevent gambling operators or management services with licenses in the state from accepting credit cards to fund both sports wagering and Internet gaming (iGaming). The latter has been operational in

"Biddeford officials’ decision to freeze all development on the university’s campus is a mistake. UNE is not a problem to be managed.... UNE is not a burden to this city. It is one of our greatest assets. Let’s act like it." By Alan Casavant and Marty Grohman Alan Casavant served as mayor of Biddeford from 2011 to 2023. Marty Grohman served as the city’s mayor from 2023 to 2025. March 22, 2026, Biddeford has blossomed into one of Maine’s most dynamic communities. Once derided

BIDDEFORD | Somebody Messed Up | 60k and a Story with Two Titles TITLE 1: CITY MESSES UP BIG TITLE 2: ICE ARENA MESSES UP BIG March 18, 2026, Bare with us… we feel the easiest way to accurately paint this picture, is to present it in 4 short, but pointed “parts”. Let’s begin. Part 1: The Whistleblower During this past Tuesday’s Finance Committee Meeting, Biddeford’s Finance Director Gerry Matherne, informed committee members that the City has not received payments from the Bi

-LD 2122 would ensure funding for SNAP benefits in the event of a federal shutdown- March 5, 2026, Maine House Speaker Ryan D. Fecteau (D-Biddeford) today introduced LD 2122, An Act to Prevent Negative Impacts from Federal Funding Changes to and Fund Eligibility Determinations and Outreach for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which will make sure our state gets the federal food assistance funds we were expected to receive before Congress passed Trump’s “Big Bad