City of Biddeford Government

09/02/2026

⚠️ A Message to Biddeford Sewer Customers

In an effort to strengthen our billing process, the City of Biddeford transitioned sewer billing services to Maine Water in 2025, introducing specialized utility billing expertise and additional oversight into our existing process. However, during a routine audit conducted after the transition, the auditor identified an error in the way sewer charges were calculated for certain customers prior to Maine Water’s involvement.

The City uses a tiered sewer rate structure designed to promote conservation. Under this system, customers pay different rates based on their level of water use, with higher rates applying only to their usage within higher tiers. However, instead of applying each tiered rate only to the appropriate portion of usage, the billing system applied the higher usage rate to all water used during the billing period. As a result, customers were charged more than the approved sewer rates.

This error affected sewer bills beginning in 2019. Although the City’s last five annual audits reviewed the sewer fund, the billing issue was not identified until the completion of the most recent audit with a new firm.

The City of Biddeford is committed to addressing this billing error transparently and ensuring that affected customers are made whole as soon as possible. We are working closely with our sewer billing provider, Maine Water, to provide the information necessary to issue credits of the full overpaid balance to the accounts of all affected customers as quickly as possible. If you were overcharged, you will not have to take any action to receive your refund.

We are committed to being transparent about both what happened in the past and what to expect from your sewer bill going forward. The refund process addresses the past billing error. Separately, the City must also implement sewer rate increases that were previously approved by the City Council to ensure that we have the funding needed to operate this essential service.

In 2025, the City Council approved a 20% sewer rate increase that was not implemented as approved. The City Council subsequently approved an additional 11.2% increase in 2026. Both approved increases will take effect together in September 2026, resulting in a 31.2% increase compared with current sewer rates.

We recognize that this increase is significant, particularly as customers are also receiving notice that they were overcharged in the past. These matters are separate: refunds are being issued because of a billing error, while the rate increase reflects prior decisions by the City Council and the need to adequately fund the operation and maintenance of the sewer system.

We understand that residents will have questions after receiving this notice. The City has prepared an “FAQ” document to answer anticipated questions, which can be accessed at www.biddefordmaine.org/sewerbilling. For individualized billing questions or details about your refund, please contact the City of Biddeford at 207-286-9387 or email [email protected].

When we took office, we told you that we are committed to being transparent and straightforward with you. We’re not sugar coating the real issues we inherited, and we’re taking actions to prevent these types of errors from reoccurring and restoring the City’s finances.

Sincerely,
Mayor Liam LaFountain & the Biddeford City Council

09/01/2026

At their meeting this evening, the Biddeford City Council confirmed Mayor LaFountain's appointment of Jessica Muise as the next Councilor for Ward 4. Councilor Muise was immediately sworn in to fill the vacant seat for the remainder of the current term, which expires in December 2027.

“I am honored to be nominated to serve Ward 4 on the City Council,” Muise said. “I look forward to working with the Mayor, my fellow councilors, city staff, and residents on the priorities that matter most to Biddeford.”

For more information on how to contact your City Councilor, please visit www.biddefordmaine.org/citycouncil.

09/01/2026

Beginning on Tuesday, September 8, the path to Middle Beach will be closed so work crews can install new fencing. It will be reopened as soon as the work is completed. Pool Beach and Fortunes Rocks Beach will remain open and available for public access during this time. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!

08/30/2026

Happy first day of school, Tigers! The clock tower is lit up orange to celebrate your return to the classroom tomorrow. We wish you and your families a fantastic 2026-2027 school year! 🐯🎒📚

08/28/2026

Biddeford Beat: Week of August 31, 2026 - http://eepurl.com/KluZK6UQW1

08/28/2026

Mayor Liam LaFountain has nominated Jessica Muise as the City of Biddeford’s next City Councilor for Ward 4. Muise would fill the seat made vacant by former Councilor Dylan Doughty for the remainder of the current term, which expires in December 2027. Her appointment is subject to confirmation by the City Council on Tuesday, September 1.

“I am honored to be nominated to serve Ward 4 on the City Council,” Muise said. “I look forward to working with the Mayor, my fellow councilors, city staff, and residents on the priorities that matter most to Biddeford.”

Muise has 20 years of experience in the nonprofit arts and culture sector, including work as an executive director, program manager, consultant, and board member. She currently runs a consulting practice that supports nonprofits with strategy, organizational capacity, governance, and fiscal health. Muise also chairs the Biddeford Public Art Commission, serves as Acting Chair of the Governing Body of the Cultural Alliance of Maine, previously served on Biddeford's Historic Preservation Commission, and volunteers with the Biddeford Food Pantry.

If confirmed, among Muise’s top priorities would be planning for the future use of the former JFK School and J. Richard Martin Community Center, addressing housing affordability, and improving traffic and pedestrian safety. She has also emphasized the importance of giving residents accessible opportunities to participate in decisions affecting Ward 4 while connecting their concerns with work already underway across the City.

Council President Roger Beaupre and Mayor LaFountain interviewed applicants for the vacant seat over the past week. The interviews focused on each applicant’s experience, priorities for Ward 4, approach to representing residents, and ability to work with councilors holding different perspectives. Mayor LaFountain and Council President Beaupre thanked the applicants for their interest in serving Ward 4 and for participating in the process.

“Muise’s service on municipal commissions, nonprofit leadership experience, and understanding of the issues facing Ward 4 will bring a valuable perspective to the City Council,” Mayor LaFountain said. “She understands the importance of preparation, listening to residents, and working constructively with people who may hold different views. I look forward to working with her, subject to confirmation by the City Council.”

08/27/2026

UPDATE: This tour has been fully booked. Thank you for your interest! Please watch this page for announcements of future tour dates.

Original post: Our City Hall and Clock Tower Tour returns on Saturday, September 12 at 10 AM! Your expert guides will share the history of the building as they lead you through its unique spaces. At the end, participants can climb the 70 narrow steps inside the clock tower for a behind-the-scenes look at the clock mechanism.

This tour can accommodate 10 people and spots must be reserved through the following link on a first-come, first-served basis: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/city-hall-and-clock-tower-tour-tickets-1998749484513?aff=oddtdtcreator

We hope to see you there! 🕰️

08/26/2026

⚠️ CONSTRUCTION UPDATE: The City of Biddeford's contractor for the Alfred Street Sewer Separation Project has encountered hard, shallow ledge while installing an 11-foot deep drain manhole and associated water main at the intersection of Alfred Street and Birch Street, causing a project delay.

The road closure at the intersection of Alfred Street and Birch Street has been extended through Friday, August 28th at 12:00 p.m. The intersection will remain closed to all traffic, day and night, until this time, with operating crews available to provide access to local residents. A temporary four-way stop at the intersection of Porter and Prospect Streets will remain in place for the duration of this work.

The ledge is being removed via excavator with a hydraulic hammer, and multiple crews are hammering the ledge to help complete the task as quickly as possible. This work may cause some disruption to the surrounding neighborhood, and every effort will be made to minimize noise and other impacts to the greatest extent possible.

We appreciate your patience and understanding while we complete this necessary infrastructure work.

08/25/2026

The City of Biddeford has added a temporary four-way stop at the intersection of Porter Street and Prospect Street. This traffic pattern change will be in place for the duration of this week's detour. Please drive with caution on these narrow residential streets.

TRAFFIC ALERT
As a part of the next stage of the Alfred Street Sewer Separation Project, crews will be hammering ledge at the intersection of Birch & Alfred Streets, requiring the closure of both lanes of traffic on Alfred Street and causing significant noise in the area.

From August 24 through 26, Alfred Street will be closed to thru traffic between Porter Street and Pool Street. Several side streets will also be limited to local traffic only to prevent access to Alfred Street, including Birch Street as well as the section of Washington Street between Alfred Street & Jefferson Street.

Drivers will be directed with clear signage to use Pool Street, Hill Street, and Porter Street to detour around the road closure. This detour route is highlighted on the map below. The Post Office and Pizza by Alex will remain accessible from Alfred Street, but must be accessed from the intersection of Alfred & Pool Streets.

To limit the traffic impacts of this closure, crews will be on site working day and night. We thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to safely complete these critical improvements to our sewer system.

08/21/2026

Travel Alert: Exit 32 (Biddeford) Southbound Off-Ramp Closure

The Maine Turnpike Authority advises travelers that the Exit 32 southbound off-ramp in Biddeford will be closed overnight, from 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM, beginning Sunday, August 23rd, to accommodate ramp repair work.

This project is weather dependent. The rain date is August 24th.