Biddeford mayor outlines progress and three priorities as council enters FY27

Mayor Liam LaFountain used the June 29 meeting to review the council’s activity over the past seven months, highlight recent accomplishments and set three priority goals for the coming 18 months.

LaFountain said the council and staff together produced a heavy volume of work since being sworn in, listing outcomes such as adoption of a code of ethics, parking updates, a solar ordinance, formation of a permanent veterans committee, approval of a consolidated CDBG plan and capital improvements planning. He highlighted regional collaboration on a new RMS radio dispatch system, additional staff capacity brought into finance and planning, and infrastructure work including a combined sewer overflow project.

The mayor identified three top priorities going forward: completing multiple outstanding financial audits, addressing decisions for the John F. Kennedy School and the Richard Martin Community Center and using the comprehensive plan as an active tool for future zoning and investment decisions. He framed the tasks as necessary to put the city on a steadier fiscal footing and to focus limited staff time on a small set of strategic goals.

LaFountain closed by thanking volunteers, staff and council colleagues and moved to adjourn the meeting. Councilor Assard moved to adjourn and Councilor Boston seconded.

Quote: "We have to narrowly focus on just a handful of goals at this point," LaFountain said, summing up the council's approach to the coming year.

The mayor also noted the council approved budgets and enterprise funds during the meeting and reiterated the importance of implementing the comprehensive plan once the state completes its review.