Biddeford City Council Meeting – October 21, 2025

The Biddeford City Council convened on October 21, 2025, at 6:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers and via Zoom. The meeting featured proclamations, presentations, second readings of ordinances, a committee-of-the-whole discussion on political signs, and extensive public comment. Several key decisions were made, including approval of funding to maintain the JFK School property and amendments to public safety advisory committees. A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to a presentation on the proposed "Wellness on Wheels" program and a discussion about the UNE pier project.

Proclamations

• Miss Maine 2025, Paige Lessard: The council recognized Paige Lessard, the second Miss Maine in history from Biddeford, with a proclamation celebrating her achievements.
• National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week: The council proclaimed October 19–25, 2025, as National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, highlighting the city's ongoing lead abatement efforts.

Appointments

• 2025.143 – Mayoral Appointment to a Committee: The council unanimously approved the appointment of Rob Nickel to the Downtown Development Commission.

Presentations

• Veterans Committee Report: Councilor Beaupre reported on the ad hoc Veterans Committee's activities, recommending it become a permanent committee. He noted the committee meets monthly and discussed upcoming Veterans Day parade plans (9:30 AM assembly, 10:00 AM step-off) and flag distribution coordination. The committee also secured state approval to rename Main Street Bridge in honor of General Wallace Nutting.
• Wellness on Wheels (WoW): City staff presented a pilot program to deploy a mobile unit staffed by an EMT and a social worker to respond to low-acuity behavioral health, substance use, and social service calls. The program, born from employee leadership training, aims to reduce strain on police and fire resources. Data from 2024 showed 5,600+ potentially divertible calls. The pilot would be based out of the fire department and funded through grants and partnerships (UNE, MaineHealth, etc.), with a target launch date of July 1, 2026, pending budget approval. Councilors raised questions about funding, staffing, dispatch triage, and potential reimbursement through Medicare/Medicaid. The City Manager noted that external funding is being pursued. No action was taken; the presentation was informational.

Public Comments & Testimony

First Public Comment Period (3-minute limit):

• Bruce Martin (veteran): Expressed frustration with rising property taxes, criticized city spending on a parking garage and the airport, and urged the council to prioritize elderly tax relief. He called the parking garage a "joke" and suggested selling it.
• John Collins (Ward 6): Asked questions about the Wellness on Wheels program, particularly regarding unhoused individuals, service fees, and liability. He also thanked the council for their service.
• Kyle Noble (Ward 1): Criticized the process around the UNE pier application, stating that the National Resources Protection Act and NEPA were bypassed, and that the city failed to provide local input. He expressed disappointment that the Zoning Board had no authority.
• Ryan Michaels (self-identified disabled veteran): Alleged that city leadership (mayor, city manager, chief of police) ignored documented evidence of ADA violations and retaliation after he was banned from the DHHS building based on false claims. He provided a formal complaint packet (signed receipt on September 8, 2025) and requested a written response from the council.

Second Public Comment Period (5-minute limit):

• John Collins (Ward 6): Spoke in support of a replacement skate park, noting that the Rotary skate park was demolished over two years ago and that the recent recreation bond proposal lacked specific commitment to the skate park. He urged the council to prioritize it.
• Sam Peatore (Ward 7): Asked for an update on sewer bills (addressed later by City Manager).
• Abigail Woods (Ward 2): Invited the public to a Twin City Tenants Alliance block party and Halloween potluck on Sunday, October 26, from 12–3 PM at Pearson’s Lane Park.
• David Kurtz (Ward 5): Thanked the police department for their handling of a recent large political gathering, noting his mother attended and felt safe.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes (October 7, 2025): Approved unanimously.
• 2025.136 – GA Maximums: Approved unanimously (second reading).
• 2025.139 – Delete 15-Min Parking at 163 Main St: Approved unanimously (second reading).
• 2025.140 – Add 15-Min Parking at Main/York: Approved unanimously (second reading).
• 2025.144 – Games of Chance: Approved unanimously (authorizing bingo and similar licenses).

Discussion Items

• 2025.127 – Amend Fire, Police, and Public Safety Advisory Committees (Second Reading): The ordinance restructures the two advisory committees into a single Public Safety Committee with two representatives each from police and fire (plus alternates), a city council member, and a student representative. Fred Olson (Ward 1), a Police Advisory Committee member, spoke in opposition, arguing that the committees have different missions and that merging them reduces transparency and accountability. Council President LaFountain explained the policy committee’s work, noting that the change ensures quorum and preserves oversight. The motion passed unanimously.
• 2025.147 – Funds to Insure and Maintain JFK School Property: The council approved up to $60,000 from contingency funds for insurance, basic maintenance, and priority repairs (including roof patches and playground safety) through FY2026. City Manager Dever reviewed the Public Works Director’s assessment, highlighting that the roof has been patched 90 times and likely needs replacement. Unanimous approval.
• 2025.151 – Confirmation of Director of Economic Development: Postponed to a future meeting.
• Committee of the Whole – Political Signs: Councilor Whiting proposed limiting campaign signs to within city limits (for at-large candidates) or within ward boundaries (for ward candidates). Councilors Lessard and Belanger opposed, citing free speech concerns, practical enforcement difficulties (e.g., signs on family property across ward lines), and potential First Amendment issues. Council President LaFountain noted that the next election where this would apply is November 2027, and any ordinance change would require two readings. No action was taken; the discussion was informational.

City Manager Report

• Sewer Billing Update: The transition to MaineWater for sewer billing will occur on October 31, 2025. Residents will receive a joint letter from the city and MaineWater in early November with instructions. Quarterly residential bills are behind by three quarters; commercial monthly bills are behind from April to October. Bills will be sent out in succession (quarterly every 30 days, monthly every two weeks). The City Manager acknowledged frustration and asked for patience, noting that MaineWater staff will assist with questions. Options for online payment and hardship programs are available.
• Tax Bills: Due to USPS delivery delays, some residents may have received their property tax bills late. The deadline remains October 30, but the tax collector can waive interest for those who had fewer than 30 days to pay.

Other Business

• Elm Street Construction: Councilor Beaupre asked for an update; the project is on schedule for completion by Veterans Day (November 11).
• UNE Meeting: Councilor Lessard thanked the City Manager for ensuring that Thursday’s citizen meeting with UNE will be televised (though not on Zoom). He also expressed disappointment that a request from two councilors to add a UNE pier discussion to tonight’s agenda was not honored, contrary to long-standing practice.
• Council President LaFountain: Reminded that the next council meeting is Thursday, November 6. He requested that a resolution be placed on the November 6 agenda asking the Maine Attorney General for a legal interpretation of the 250-foot buffer in relation to the UNE pier approval by the Saco River Corridor Commission. Councilor Beaupre seconded the request.
• Mayor Grohman: Reported that the Maine Mariners organization has expressed interest in a lease arrangement for the Biddeford Ice Arena; he asked for council consensus to direct the City Manager to explore this. Councilors nodded in agreement. The mayor also urged the media to publicize the state’s Property Tax Fairness Credit (eligible for up to $4,000 for veterans over 65) and reminded residents of upcoming events: YMCA Halloween event (Thursday, 5:30–7:30 PM), Trunk or Treat at the high school (Friday), Cheese and the Supernatural at McArthur Library (Thursday), Drug Take Back Day at Public Works (Saturday, 10 AM–2 PM), and the citizen meeting in council chambers (Thursday, 6 PM, televised).

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous approvals: All votes on agenda items (minutes, ordinances, Games of Chance, JFK funding) passed unanimously.
• Postponed: The nomination for Director of Economic Development was postponed to a future meeting.
• No action on political signs: The committee-of-the-whole discussion ended without any motion or direction to staff.
• Directives: The City Manager was directed to explore a potential lease arrangement with the Maine Mariners for the ice arena. A resolution requesting a legal opinion on the UNE pier buffer will be placed on the November 6 agenda.
• Executive Session: The council entered executive session at 7:56 PM under 1 M.R.S. 405(6)(A) (Personnel), (C) (Real Estate), (D) (Labor), and (E) (Legal), and exited at 9:05 PM. The meeting adjourned at 9:05 PM.