Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Thank you.

It's good to have a crowded room here tonight.

We've got a lot of important work and presentations ahead on the council agenda, so thank you all for joining us.

First item on the agenda, as it's the first meeting of the month for the city, we recognize city employees, beginning with recognitions.

Officer Pelletier is the SRO at Bidford High School, and as such interacts with the students and has gained their confidence as a trusted adult, which as you can imagine is no easy feat.

The JCCOs are the mechanism used for both probation and screening processes for juvenile juveniles prior to court action, and officer our Officer Pelletier's spirit of cooperation and dedication are unparalleled.

It's uh incredibly proud for the city to receive this honor and for Officer Pelletier, so congratulations to him and the entire police department.

Additionally, for anniversaries in June, we have Corporal Andrew Shortill, uh, police department, 20 years of service, and patrol officer Peter Gilman, also from the police department, 10 years of service.

No retirements this month, and for terms, we have uh Jason Solomon police officer who served the city for three years, Thomas Collins, wastewater operator maintenance, served the city for over a year, Robert Edge, Community Center custodian, who also served the city for three years, and for new employees, we have Brandon Green, a laborer with public works, Christine O'Driscoll, account clerk in the city clerk's office, Ethan LeBlanc, mechanic with public works, Liam McGinley, also for public uh for recreation department, and Hannah O'Neill, a dispatcher within the police department.

Congratulations to all of you and thank you for joining the City of Biddeford.

And that brings us to two proclamations this evening, beginning with the Purple Heart uh city uh for the City of Biddeford, this is a proclamation that came forward from Biddeford resident and then from several members of the Veterans Committee, I believe.

Whereas the City of Biddeford has always supported its military veteran population, and whereas the Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration in present use, and whereas the mission of the Military Order of the Purple Heart is to foster an environment of goodwill among combat wounded veteran members and their families, promote patriotism, support legislative initiatives, and most importantly, make sure we never forget.

And whereas Biddeford, the Biddeford area has a large veteran population, including Purple Heart recipients, and whereas Biddeford appreciates the sacrifices of Purple Heart recipients made in defending our freedoms, and believe it is important to acknowledge them for their courage and show them the honor and support they have earned.

Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Liam P.

LeFountain, mayor of the City of Biddeford, do hereby proclaim the City of Biddeford as a Purple Heart City and encourage the residents of Biddeford to show their appreciation for the sacrifices of Purple Heart recipients.

Thank you.

And our second proclamation this evening is for the 2026 Pride Month Proclamation, whereas the City of Biddeford is committed to being a safe and equitable community for all people, and that commitment extends to any race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, country of origin, religion, or any other identity.

And whereas the events of June 28th, 1969, now known as the Stonewall Riots, marked a historic turning point in the LGBTQ plus rights movement in the United States, and pride celebrations and civic demonstrations each June continue to commemorate that legacy.

And whereas this movement has achieved historic progress in many areas, including anti-bullying and hate crime legislation and great advances in family and marriage equality, and whereas the people of Maine voted to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in 2005 and in favor of marriage equality in 2012, and whereas, despite years of progress, members of the LGBTQ plus community still face unacceptable levels of discrimination, violence, and proposed rollbacks in state and federal protections.

And whereas, according to the Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey in 2025, more than 21% of York County's middle and high school students identified as LGBTQ plus, and the prevalence of suicidal ideation among LGBTQ plus youth is alarmingly high.

And whereas public symbols of support for LGBTQ plus life can make lifelong, lasting positive impacts on members of the community who otherwise feel isolated and alone, and let it be known that the City of Biddeford stands with the LGBTQ plus community and their desire for and their right to equality, dignity, respect, and fair treatment for all.

Therefore, be it resolved that I, Liam LaFountain, Mayor of the City of Biddeford, do hereby proclaim June as Pride Month in Biddeford and encourage all residents to recognize the importance of fostering a city where all people are treated with dignity, respect, and fairness.

Thank you.

And for those who were able to join the uh pride proclamation and flag raising yesterday, thanks to Councillor Woods and Councillor Kurtz who were able to attend though that, along with the Biddeford Tiger Allies, which is a Biddeford High School student group that helped organize that event with the assistance of the Biddeford DEI Committee and Heart of Beddiford, thanks to all those who were participating in

that.

And that brings us to a series of appointments, beginning with uh mayoral appointment to committees.

This would be for Brian Clark, our economic and community development director to serve as a member of the Tri-City Transit Committee.

So I'm

sorry.

Move by Councillor Beaupre, second by Councillor Dowdy.

All those in favor.

That is unanimous, and Councillor Lassard also in favor via Teams.

And next we have the confirmation of our city assessor.

This is the City Council does hereby confirm the city manager's nomination of April Buchanan as director of assessing and Biddeford Tax Assessor, with the powers and duties of which are prescribed in state law, MRSA, Title 36, Chapter 101.

So moved.

Second.

Moved by Councillor Beaupre, second by Councillor Dowdy.

All those in favor.

That is unanimous.

Thank you and congratulations to April.

And April is here.

If she'd like to say a few words, come join us at the podium.

I

just want to say thank you for the opportunity, and I look forward to serving the citizens of Biddeford and hopefully get questions answered when they need an answer.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Glad to have you join

us.

Thank you.

And that takes us to two presentations, beginning with one from the Maine Coast Heritage Trust for a presentation on the Biddeford Forest.

And as they're getting ready to set up, I'll just share with folks that Councillor Pierce and I had an opportunity to meet with Maine Coast Heritage Trust a little over probably two months ago to discuss this project, and they shared some of the findings, and thus we invited them to the council so they could share it with the rest of the council and with Biddeford residents.

So

thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mayor LeFountain.

Thank you, counselors, for having us.

My name is Chris Shorn.

I'm project manager.

I'm here with some of my colleagues from Maine Coast Heritage Trust.