Good evening.

I will call the July 7th, 2026 City Council meeting to order.

All members are present.

Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to

the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for

all.

Thank you all for joining us this evening.

Starting with adjustments to the agenda of which there are none, we'll move on to recognitions, beginning with our employee recognition.

For anniversaries this July, 10 years of city service, Cynthia Adams, maintenance worker for the recreation department.

Bethany Walker, 25 years as a dispatcher for the police department, and Timothy Sivini, a lieutenant for the fire department, 30 years.

Thank you all for your service to the City of Biddeford.

Retirements in July, 37 years of service, Elizabeth Richard Coleman, patrol officer for the police department, also a school resource officer for a number of years, and 28 years for Norman Delaire, a lieutenant also for the police department.

Congratulations to them on their retirements.

And terms in June, James Ambrose, Animal Control Officer, Kara Simmons, Deputy HR Director, Truck Deaver, City Manager, Jada Florent, Recreation Department.

And we have three new hires in June, Brittany St.

Michael, a dispatcher with the police department, Cornell Knight, City Manager, and April Buchanan, Assessor.

Welcome aboard.

That will bring us to a series of proclamations, the first 5A, 2026 Parks and Recreation Month Proclamation, for which I'll call on Councillor Woods, who is our City Council liaison to the Recreation Commission to read.

Councillor

Woods.

Thank you, Mayor.

So designation of July as Park and Recreation Month, whereas Parks and Recreation is an integral part of communities throughout this country and is essential infrastructure that makes communities resilient, including the city of Biddeford, Maine, and whereas parks and recreation promotes health and wellness, improving the physical and mental health of people who live near parks, and whereas parks and recreation encourages physical activities by providing space for popular sports, hiking trails, swimming pools, and is a leader, leading provider of healthy meals, nutrition services, and education, and whereas parks and recreation programming and education activities such as out-of-school time programming, youth sports, and environmental education are critical to childhood development, and whereas parks and recreation increases a community's economic prosperity through increased property values, expansion of the local tax base, increased tourism, the attraction and retention of businesses, and crime reduction, and whereas parks and recreation is essential and adaptable infrastructure that makes our communities resilient in the face of natural disasters and climate change and national natural recreation areas ensure the ecological beauty of our community and provide a place for children and adults to connect with nature and recreate outdoors.

And whereas the U.S.

House of Representatives has designated July as Parks and Recreation Month.

Now therefore be it resolved that Liam LaFountain, mayor of the City of Biddeford, does hereby declare July as Park and Recreation Month in the City of Biddeford, Maine.

Thank you, Councillor Woods, and I hope folks take an opportunity to enjoy the many city parks we have here in Biddeford that are well maintained by our parks recreation and public works department, and thank you to our recreation team who is in the back row this evening for all that you do to make those parks welcoming for our residents and visitors.

And

that will bring us to our second proclamation, which is a proclamation honoring age-friendly Biddeford, the recipient of the 2026 Spirit of America Award.

Whereas the Spirit of America Foundation, established in 1990, presents its tribute each year in the name of Maine Cities and towns to honor individuals, organizations, and projects whose volunteer service strengthens their community.

And whereas the City of Biddeford is honored to bestow its 2026 Spirit of America Award upon age-friendly Biddeford, an organization that embodies the very spirit of volunteerism, this honors celebrates.

And whereas age-friendly Biddeford, led by Executive Director Elizabeth Betsy Martin, and powered by a dedicated team of community volunteers, works to ensure that residents of all ages and especially our older neighbors can live full, connected, and independent lives in our city.

And whereas operating on a modest budget, stretched by countless volunteer hours, the organization addresses the practical needs that shape quality of life for older adults, including social connection, access to information, resources, mobility, housing, and meaningful civic participation.

And whereas through programs such as its volunteer transportation service, which help residents meet meet medical appointments they might otherwise miss, and it's winter sand bucket deliveries, which keep neighbors safe in their own homes.

Age-friendly Biddeford reflects a vision of a more livable city for all.

And whereas the heart of this work lies in neighbors caring for neighbors, generations looking out for one another, and a steady commitment to building a community where everyone belongs.

And whereas by combating isolation and ensuring that our older residents remain valued, active members of community life, age-friendly Biddeford has strengthened the fabric of our entire city.

Therefore, be it resolved that I, Liam LaFountain, mayor of the City of Biddeford, do hereby recognize age-friendly Biddeford as the recipient of the 2026 Spirit of America Award, and extend the city's deepest gratitude to every volunteer who gives their time and energy to this mission.

For Biddeford is a better, kinder, and more connected place because of their service.

Thank you and congratulations.

And

Betsy, if you'd like, I'd welcome you up to the podium if you want to say a few words, and I'd also love to add a few.

Thank you, Betsy.

And thanks for joining us as

well.

First, let me thank Liam.

Excuse me.

Mr.

Mayor.

Thank you very much for this honor that I accept on behalf of my group who is here this evening.

With our volunteer services, that as you said, transportation and the Sand Bucket program.

We also have a great coffee hour that we have once a week, which invites people in from the community, basically socialize and to hang, you know, and talk about anything.

What uh happens in that meeting stays in that meeting.

So they're welcome to always always do that.

I do want to introduce a uh the new program that we have is the handy uh handy neighbor program, uh Tony Caro, who's not able to be here this evening, um, but he has led the way to coordinate uh that program, and we've had a number of calls.

Um he was even at my house.

So he has gotten things started.

We've gotten already some notes back that have people from people who really appreciate his service.

Um our transportation coordinator is here, um, Mona Grandpa.

We also have the brand new um uh she's gonna be driving the van.