On the agenda: Biddeford Policy Committee Meeting (Live) — License Plate Reader (Oct 26)

City of Biddeford
Policy Committee

October 26, 2026 at 6:00 PM
City Hall Council Chambers & Teams
Join the Policy Committee Meeting on Microsoft Teams
Meeting ID: 291 795 094 325 12
Passcode: 3Da37LS7
Dial in by phone: 1-872-242-8054
Phone conference ID: 288 349 639#
1.

Roll Call

2.

Pledge of Allegiance

3.

Adjustment(s) to Agenda

4.

Approval of Minutes
4.a 20260928 Policy Committee Meeting Minutes

5.

Discussion/Review
5.a Project Canopy Committee moved into Sustainability Commission
5.b Review of Chapter 46- 5 list of City parks, beaches and athletic fields.
5.c Combined Membership of Zoning Board of Appeals and Board of Assessment Review
5.d Combined Harbor Commission and Shellfish Commission
5.e Rules of the Council amendment
5.f Creating New Division for Standing Committees

6.

Other Business

7.

Adjourn

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City of Biddeford
Policy Committee
September 28, 2026 at 6:00 PM
City Hall Council Chambers & Teams
1. Roll Call Council President Beaupre, Councilor Jake Pierson, Marie Potvin, Norman
Belanger, Remote- Councilor Kurtz Time: 6:01
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Adjustment(s) to Agenda- None
4. Approval of Minutes
4.a Policy Committee Minutes 20260824
Motion to approve the minutes by Councilor Pierson
Second by Norman Belanger
Passed Vote: 4-0 Councilor Kurtz lost connection
5. Discussion/Review
5.a Public Art Commission -Public Art Master Plan- Jessica Muise presented the Public Art
Master Plan and discussed the changes made since the last meeting
5.b Proposed Landscape Standards OrdinanceMotion to accept Norman Belanger
Second by Councilor Pierson
Using language in the landscape and nursery trade. Comments Section E Landscaping
plan required question about no requirement for single or two family dwellings? Max noted
that the threshold was anything that required planning board or site plan review -not meant
to be a burden to homeowners, especially small property owners. There are a lot of people
who may own homes on fixed incomes. Other communities have set strict standards on
plantings and he personally didn’t feel it was appropriate. Shoreland Overlay Zones are
already required by code for certain standards.
Section F minimum – percentages of total land area. Understand the rationale as to why
those numbers are less than the others. That table was done by Brad Favreau. The
minimum went to the use vs. the lot. Modeled these requirements after the Scarborough

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ordinance but tweaked it to fit Biddeford’s urban environment. Require more for softer
uses than commercial and industrial. He would like to see all the numbers be at 15%.
Motion by Councilor Pierson to amend Subsection F. 1. modify the chart 15% for all 5
items total land area. This makes it simpler for staff to track. Mixed use vs. development
and creates extra steps etc. if it’s all the same there isn’t incentive to “cheat the system”
Second Council President Beaupre
As you deliberate, Industrial and Manufacturing uses having the lower percentages 10% for
FMI would equate to a similar number as the smaller lots for 15%. Mixed used is probably
the same in terms of lot size.
Councilor Kurtz asked a procedural question- is substantive change to the underlying
ordinance allowed in Policy? Answer was yes.
Norman Belanger noted that he does not support the amendment as he doesn’t want to be
overly aggressive.
Vote: 3- 2 Motion passes
Councilor Pierson, Councilor Kurtz and Marie Potvin in favor
Councilor Beaupre and Norman Belanger opposed
Motion by Councilor Pierson to amend Subsection F.1. To delete the “adhere to the
preferred planting list to the UME”. Delete the whole line as follows “Species planted in
accordance with this ordinance should adhere to the preferred planting list maintained by
the University of Maine Cooperative Extension.” It’s not something that’s kept updated
and we would pigeonhole ourselves to a list that is not updated. You are covering yourself
by using a landscape architect.
Second by Norman Belanger
Vote unanimous: 5-0 motion passes
Subsection F.6.
This needs a little more teeth to this in the sense of having some ways you can protect
trees and they could have been damaged by construction that you cannot see. Some
language to allow for the retention. Not a heavy lift for the staff. What does protection
mean during construction. Section H there was a line for plantings that die to be replaced
in perpetuity –

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Motion by Councilor Pierson to amend Subsection H. f. to add language “ Any new or
existing” landscaping”
Second by Norman Belanger
Public comment about replacing a 50 YO tree
Vote Unanimous: 5-0 Motion passed
Final vote
Vote Unanimous: 5-0 Motion passed to send to council.
Marie Potvin asked about enforcement. Max pointed out Section J item 1. 125% of the cost
of landscaping held in escrow for 3 years after the three-year period there is a section that
requires it to be maintained in perpetuity. It’s really an enforcement issue. Up to residents
to bring complaints to city staff of developers aren’t doing their due diligence. Staff can
enforce when noticed when doing inspections or other site walks. That language is already
in the code.
Norman Belanger asked if the 125% is just right. Their performance bonds are 110%.
However, Max feels the 125% is appropriate and its only for the landscaping portion. It’s a
smaller chunk of the expenses.
5.c Use of License Plate Readers/Surveillance Technology -Biddeford
Motion to consider Councilor Pierson
Second for discussion Norman Belanger
Discussion- Norman Belanger noted he read the ordinance a couple of times and found it
hard to understand. Noted the purpose and the requirements but no clear delineations. It
is far too complicated a solution for them to be adopting in Biddeford and if it is adopted it
needs further clarification
Councilor Pierson concurred that it is verbose we are in a time period where this is an
important discussion to be had and to be clear about what we are/ aren’t doing for data
collection. Difficult to achieve at the local level. It would behoove us to use this as a
starting point to talk with the team – City solicitor and PD to see what we are aren’t doing
and have a better gauge of where we see a potential problem down the road. We don’t
have a lot of data.
Council President Beaupre – read it several times as well. It’s going beyond the ALPR
designation of what we are trying to achieve. Cameras for activities and there are also

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devices used by PD to monitor traffic incidences. Discussion has come up with body
cams. There are already policies in place for the school dept. How long are the retention
policies for the PD and other agencies with the city it’s not shared unless it needs to be
reviewed. Has difficulty with the specificity and it may conflict with CALEA and conflicts
with School Committee policies and recording of students and their activities.
Motion by Council President Beaupre to Table for further review by departments that
already have policies to review
Second by Councilor Pierson
Motion Passed: 4-1 Councilor Pierson, Councilor Beupre, Marie Potvin and Norman
Belanger in the affirmative; Councilor Kurtz in the negative

5.d Veterans Committee MembershipMotion by Councilor Pierson to amend the current ordinance the change presented
Second Marie Potvin
Approve the change to the Veterans Committee to add representatives of the AmVets and
American legion housed within Biddeford. To help establish a quorum.
Norman Belanger Motion to amend by adding “and Post 1 AMVETS” after American Legion
“hereby created and established the Veterans Committee, comprised of seven members,
which shall include an active member of Post 26 of the American Legion, an active
member of Post 1 of AMVETS, and a staff member of the General Assistance Office serving
in an ex- officio capacity. With the exception of the representatives from the American
Legion and Post 1 AMVETS, all other voting members shall be honorably discharged armed
forces veterans, US citizens, and reside within the corporate limits of the City of
Biddeford.”
Second by Councilor Beauore
Councilor Pierson
Vote Unanimous in favor: 5-0
Final Vote as amended to send to council
Councilor Kurtz asked a question about membership of committees
Vote Unanimous in favor: 5-0

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5.e Cooperating Agreement for Social Services FundingMotion by Councilor Pierson to adopt to move to Council
Second by Norman Belanger
Councilor Kurtz noted he would be more comfortable if this didn’t originate by Policy but
rather by Council discussion.
Councilor Kurtz made a motion to table the matter
Second by Norman Belanger
Vote 3-2 to be tabled Norman Belanger, Councilor Kurtz, Marie Potvin tabled to council for
further discussion. Councilor Beaupre and Councilor Pierson in the negative.
5.f Rules of the Council- Discussion
Under city charter direction for rules of the council to be in place. Withing the rules
Appendix is committees and should be placed under administration. Placed with other
committees and then provision within the rules of the Council that they are a policy
decision 2/3 votes and become effective immediately vs. a rule going to policy and two
readings of city council.
Norman Belanger noted the charter says they can adopt rules of procedure. That’s just
where they place them. They shouldn’t be subject to emergency rules and can be waived
by the council – you can’t waive provisions of an ordinance. Move committees to the
boards, commissions, committees.
6. Other Business
7.Adjourn
Motion to adjourn Norman Belanger
Second by Marie Potvin
Vote Unanimous. 5-0 Meeting adjourned at 7:09pm

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Policy Committee
Meeting Date:
Meeting Time:
Agenda Item No:
Item Description:
Submitted By:

October 26, 2026
6:00 PM
5.a
Project Canopy Committee moved into Sustainability Commission
Brad Favreau, Development and Sustainability Coordinator

Key Terms:
N/A
Executive Summary:
The Sustainability Commission and City staff propose to dissolve the Project Canopy Committee
and move the duties of this committee to the Sustainability Commission, which is currently
doing much of this work independently of the Project Canopy Committee.
Detailed Review:
The Project Canopy Committee was formed in 2008 with the defined purpose “To promote and
enhance the quality of life by planting trees along our streets, in our parks, in our
neighborhoods and developing new green space.” Since that time, this committee has been
staffed by the Public Works Department.
The Sustainability Commission was formed in 2024 with the mandate to implement the Climate
Action Plan as approved by City Council in 2023. Many of the actions in this plan involve the
planting and maintenance of trees, for example:
• Promote sustainable landscaping
• Protect vulnerable areas;
• Enable "nature-based solutions;"
• Restore natural habitats;
• Create a tree ordinance;
• Create a shade structure ordinance.
To avoid duplication of effort; reduce the number of committees, boards, and commissions in
the City; and reduce workload by the Public Works Department, the Sustainability Commission

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has approved taking on the duties of the Project Canopy Committee.
Project Canopy staff in the Maine Forest Service has verified that no resources, technical
assistance or grant availability will be sacrificed by this move.
Project Canopy staff in the Maine Forest Service has verified that no resources, technical
assistance or grant availability will be sacrificed by this move.
According to Jan Santerre of Project Canopy, communities do not need a dedicated tree board
to participate in the State’s Project Canopy program or apply for grants. In other communities
in Maine, a municipal conservation commission or sustainability committee performs work
under Project Canopy guidelines.
Funding Source:

Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends moving the duties of the current Project Canopy Committee under the
purview of the Sustainability Commission and dissolving the Project Canopy Committee.
Next Steps:

Attachments:
1.
2026.140 Project Canopy Sustainability OCT 20 2026-ORDER
2.
PROJECT CANOPY COMMITTEE REMOVED OCT 2026
3.
Sustainability Commission PROJECT CANOPY ADDED OCT 2026

Page 8 of 27

2026.140
IN BOARD OF CITY COUNCIL… October 20, 2026
BE IT ORDERED, that the City Council does hereby dissolve the Project Canopy
Committee and does hereby incorporate its mission into the Sustainability Commission.

Attest by:_________________________________

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City of Biddeford, ME

DIVISION 10
PROJECT CANOPY COMMITTEE
Sec. 2-314
Sec. 2-312. Membership; appointments; term; compensation. [Ord. No. 2008.91, 12-2-2008; amended 41-2014 by Ord. No. 2014.26]
The Project Canopy Committee, consisting of seven members, shall be nominated by the Mayor, confirmed
by the City Council and shall serve for staggered five-year terms.
The Committee membership serves without compensation.
The Committee shall annually elect one of its members as Chair.
The Committee shall meet on the call of the Chair at such place and time designated by vote of the
Committee.
The City Clerk will be notified of the time and location of meetings and shall be provided with an agenda for
posting to the general public.
Sec. 2-313. Powers and duties. [Ord. No. 2008.91, 12-2-2008]
To promote and enhance the quality of life by planting trees along our streets, in our parks, in our
neighborhoods and developing new green space.
Sec. 2-314. Vacancies. [Ord. No. 2008.91, 12-2-2008]
A vacancy in the membership of the Committee shall be determined upon the occurrence of any of the
following:

(1) The death of a member;
(2) The effective date of the resignation of a member;
(3) The expiration of the term of office;
(4) Three unexcused absences during a one-year period;
(5) The removal of a member from the City.
A member may resign by submitting a written resignation to the Chair of the Committee. Once
received by the Chair of the Committee, the Mayor's office will be notified. The resignation may not
be withdrawn, and the member's office shall become vacant on the date specified in the resignation.
If a vacancy in the membership of the Committee occurs, the Mayor shall nominate a person to fill the
vacancy within a period not to exceed 30 days of its occurrence. The nomination shall be subject to
the confirmation of the City Council. The person named to fill a vacancy shall serve until the normal
expiration date of the term being filled.

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City of Biddeford, ME

Sec. 2-337.11

Sec. 2-337.11

DIVISION 14
SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION
Sec. 2-337.1. Established. [Added 9-3-2024 by Ord. No. 2024.133]
The Biddeford Sustainability Commission is hereby established.
Sec. 2-337.2. "Commission" defined. [Added 9-3-2024 by Ord. No. 2024.133]
Unless otherwise indicated, the term "Commission," as used in this division, shall mean the
Biddeford Sustainability Commission.
Sec. 2-337.3. Composition; appointment of Commissioners; terms of office. [Added
9-3-2024 by Ord. No. 2024.133]
(a) The Commission shall consist of nine members, referred to in this division as
"Commissioners." Such Commissioners shall be nominated by the Mayor and confirmed by
the City Council.
(b) Commissioners shall serve for three-year terms. The terms of each Commissioner shall be
staggered so that no more than three Commissioners' terms shall expire in the same year. Any
Commissioner appointed to fill a vacancy for which more than half of the unexpired term
remains shall be deemed to have served one full term.
(c) A Commissioner shall automatically be removed from office in the event that he or she no
longer is a resident of the City of Biddeford or is absent for three consecutive regular meetings
without being excused by the Chair.
(d) The Commission shall also include a student representative as a 10th nonvoting member of
the Commission, to provide youth perspective.
Sec. 2-337.4. Functions and purposes. [Added 9-3-2024 by Ord. No. 2024.133]
It shall be the function and purpose of the Sustainability Commission to:
(a) Develop and recommend policies to City Council for the implementation of climate actions
as outlined in the 2023 Biddeford Climate Action Plan;
(b) Develop and recommend policies to meet greenhouse gas emission reduction targets
established for 2030 and 2050 as resolved by City Council in 2022;
(c) Investigate and recommend policies and best practices for adoption in Biddeford, as
appropriate for climate mitigation and adaptation;
(d) Promote sustainable development best practices;
(e) Incorporate nature-based solutions wherever possible in addressing climate change and
sustainability matters;
(e)(f) Enhance the quality of life by expanding and enriching tree cover here under the Project
Canopy program of the Maine Forest Service, especially by creating and maintaining urban
and community forests and managing public tree resources.
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City of Biddeford, ME

Sec. 2-337.11

Sec. 2-337.11

(f)(g) Work in an advisory capacity to City Council, Planning Board, and other City committees,
commissions, and boards, including, but not limited to, upon request advising as to the climate
impact of any proposed ordinance or City action;
(g)(h) Undertake an updated Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory to track emission reductions
according to best practices;
(h)(i) Engage community members and partners in all Commission activities to keep the public
informed and to ensure public participation;
(i)(j) Consider social equity in all climate actions.
(j)(k) Provide an annual report to City Council, Mayor, and City Manager of
Commission activities, especially progress of implementing Biddeford Climate Action Plan.
Sec. 2-337.5. Quorum at meetings. [Added 9-3-2024 by Ord. No. 2024.133]
A simple majority of Commissioners shall constitute a quorum.
Sec. 2-337.6. Required vote. [Added 9-3-2024 by Ord. No. 2024.133]
The Commission shall act by majority vote of those present and voting.
Sec. 2-337.7. Annual election of officers. [Added 9-3-2024 by Ord. No. 2024.133]
The Commission shall hold a meeting at the beginning of each calendar year for the purpose of
electing officers:
(a) Chair. The Chair shall preside over meetings. The Chair shall not vote except to break a tie.
(b) Vice Chair. The Vice Chair shall preside in the event the Chair is absent from any meeting.
(c) Secretary. The Secretary shall record all proceedings of the Commission.
Sec. 2-337.8. Management of Commission. [Added 9-3-2024 by Ord. No. 2024.133]
The management of the Commission shall be vested in the Commissioners appointed and
confirmed in accordance with Section 2-337.3. The Commission shall be staffed by a designee of
the Planning and Development Director, until such time as a Sustainability Coordinator or similar
position is created and filled, at which time such person shall staff the Commission.
Sec. 2-337.9. Chair to submit budget, reports. [Added 9-3-2024 by Ord. No. 2024.133]
The Commission Chair shall submit a budget request to Council for each fiscal year, report
to Council each year regarding progress made in meeting goals as outlined in the most recent
Climate Action Plan adopted by the City, or, as requested by Council.
Sec. 2-337.10. Authority to establish subcommittees. [Added 9-3-2024 by Ord. No. 2024.133]
The Commission may from time to time establish subcommittees composed of such persons as the
Commission shall desire, comprising current members of the Commission, or other experts as
needed, to provide advice and counsel on sustainability and matters of climate change.
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City of Biddeford, ME

Sec. 2-337.11

Sec. 2-337.11

Sec. 2-337.11. Expenditures. [Added 9-3-2024 by Ord. No. 2024.133]
All Commission expenditures shall comply with the City procurement policies established in the
City Code of Ordinances, Chapter 2, Article V, Finance, Division 2, Procurement.

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Policy Committee
Meeting Date:
Meeting Time:
Agenda Item No:
Item Description:
Submitted By:

October 26, 2026
6:00 PM
5.b
Review of Chapter 46- 5 list of City parks, beaches and athletic fields.
Lisa Thompson, CPRP, Recreation Director

Key Terms:

Executive Summary:
It has come to our attention that the list of parks identified in Chapter 46, Section 5 of the Parks
Ordinance, may be outdated or contain inaccuracies. Specifically, there is a discrepancy
regarding Cannon Plaza, located at South and Green Streets. Chief Fisk has brought this matter
to my attention, requesting that all the property located at GIS 38-200 and GIS 38-201 be
formally identified as park space so that her team can enforce the applicable parks ordinances
and manage the area more effectively.

Detailed Review:
The current ordinance lists Cannon Plaza at 59 South Street under GIS parcel 39-201. The
Engineering Department has confirmed that the correct parcel number is 38-201. Additionally,
although the property at 17 Green Street, parcel 38-200 is City-owned, it is not currently
identified as part of either Cannon Plaza or Williams Court Park. I would like to propose a
review and update to the following:
“That parcel 38-201, located at 59 South Street, and parcel 38-200, located at 17 Green Street,
shall both be identified as Cannon Plaza.”
Funding Source:
N/A

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Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommend updating this line to reflect the accuracy of the lot number, space and name
of both areas identified as Cannon Plaza.
Next Steps:
The Recreation Department recognizes that Chapter 46 in the Code of Ordinances is due for a
more comprehensive review and update. The Recreation Commission plans to take on this task
in the coming months. In the meantime, moving this specific amendment forward would
address an immediate concern and, we hope, help alleviate some of the ongoing issues in this
particular neighborhood by providing greater clarity regarding the property's designation and
allowing for more effective enforcement of the existing ordinances.
Attachments:
1.
Chapter 46 with edit Cannon Plaza
2.
Cannon Park
3.
17 Green St

Page 15 of 27

Sec. 46-5. City parks, beaches and athletic fields. (Amended 8-1-2023 by Ord. No. 2023.83; 10-3-2023
by Ord. No. 2023.106)
Name

Assessor's Map and Lot Numbers

Biddeford Pool Bath House Gilbert Boucher Park Place

GIS

Biddeford Pool Mini-Park 0 Lester B Orcutt Blvd.

GIS 59-117

Cannon Plaza 59 South Street

GIS 39 38-201/ GIS 38-200

Canopy Park 65 Bacon Street

GIS 39-129

City Square Park 58 Lincoln Street

GIS 38-132

Clifford Park 130 Pool Street

GIS 39-334, Parcels 8-1, 8-3, 8-3-1 and 30-58

Doran Field 314 South Street

GIS 32-4

F.O.A.V. Court Park 2 FOAV Court

GIS 39-137

Fortunes Rocks Beach
J. Richard Martin Community Center Playground
189 Alfred Street

GIS 34-228

Liberty Park 2 Water Street

GIS 41-129

Pierson's Lane Community Park 40 Pierson's Lane GIS 39-116
GIS 30-117
Mechanics Park 3 Main Street

GIS 41-1

Memorial Park 130 May Street

GIS 27-34

Middle Beach
Park in the Pines 194 Hills Beach Road

GIS 55-51

River Walk Plaza/River Walk Phase 2 2 Main Street GIS 71-11
Rotary Park 550 Main Street

GIS 32-2

St. Louis Field

GIS 28-270

Shevenell Park 149 Main Street

GIS 38-372

Veteran's Memorial Park 2 Pool Street

GIS 38-419

Vines Landing End of Lester B. Orcutt Boulevard

GIS 59-117

Washington Street School Park 75 Washington
Street

GIS 38-312-1

Williams Court Park South Street and Green Street GIS 183, 182
169-1
315 Main

GIS 38-144

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Page 17 of 27

#17 Green Street
Tax Map 38/Lot 200
#59 South Street
Tax Map 38/Lot 201

Page 18 of 27

Page 19 of 27

Change the following two sections of the Code of Ordinances to combine membership of
the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Board of Assessment Review. Appointed Members
shall serve on both boards. Remove establishment language for the Board of Assessment
Review and redefine the terms of office for all members of both boards.

Article IX Board of Appeals
Section 1. Establishment and organization
A. A Board of Appeals is a quasijudicial body which shall consist of five voting
members plus two associate members, all of whom shall be resident of the City of
Biddeford and who shall also serve as members of the Board of Assessment
Review. Members of the Board of Appeals shall reflect as much as possible several
geographic areas of the City, and shall have diverse professional and/or
employment backgrounds. In no case shall more than two members be from the
same ward. Current members whose terms expire after 12/2005 shall have their
term reduced to 12/2005. The term of office of a member and an associate member
shall be staggered three-year terms, provided that those members and associate
members appointed pursuant to this section shall continue in such capacity until
the expiration of the term to which they are appointed, so long as they meet the
qualifications of membership imposed by this section. In order to comply with the
provisions of this ordinance requiring geographical balance, any current members
of the Zoning Board of Appeals who reside in the same ward with more than two
other members shall have their terms of office reduced to expire on June 30, 2003.

Pt II Code of Ordinances, Ch. 2 Article IV Boards, Committees, Commissions, Division 8
BOARD OF ASSESSMENT REVIEW
Section 2-297
The Board of Assessment review shall consist of five members, and two Associate
members who shall also serve as members of the Board of Appeals. Three members of the
board shall constitute a quorum for purposes of conducting a meeting and taking action.
When a regular member of the board is unable to act because of interest, incapacity or
absence, an associate member shall be designated by the Chairman to act in his/her
stead.

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Section 2-299
The terms of office of members of the Board of Assessment Review shall not exceed five be
staggered 3 years terms and no more than two members' terms of office shall expire in a
single year.

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Pt.II Code of Ordinances, Ch. 74 Waterways Art. II HARBOR COMMISSION
Sec. 74-61 Appointment; terms, qualifications of members
[Ord. of 4-20-1993, § 26-15(a); Ord. of 2-17-1998(2); Ord. No. 2007.11, 3-6-2007]
The Mayor shall appoint, subject to confirmation by the City Council, a Harbor
Commission.
(1) The Commission shall consist of five members serving staggered three-year terms.
(2) The initial terms of Commissioners shall be two Commissioners for three-year terms,
two Commissioners for two-year terms, and one Commissioner for a one-year term.
(3) The Commission shall be comprised of two recreational boaters; two from the
commercial fishing field; and one at-large, with all appointees having demonstrated
experience of at least five years with the adjacent waterways of the City.
(4.) The Shellfish Conservation Commission as defined in Sec 74-103 shall be considered a
subcommittee of the Harbor Commission and shall attend joint meetings with the Harbor
Commission in addition to their regularly scheduled meetings.

FOR REFERENCE:
Sec. 74-103 Shellfish Conservation Committee.
[Ord. No. 2000.20, § 3, 4-4-2000; Ord. No. 2002.33, 4-2-2002; amended 4-7-2009 by Ord.
No. 2009.11; 3-18-2025 by Ord. No. 2025.22]
The Shellfish Conservation Program for the City of Biddeford will be administered by the
Shellfish Conservation Committee consisting of seven members to be appointed by the
Mayor and confirmed by the Council for terms of three years.
The Committee's responsibilities include:
(a) Establishing annually in conjunction with the Department of Marine Resources the
number of shellfish digging licenses to be issued.
(b) Reviewing annually the status of the resource using the results of clam flat, harvester or
dealer surveys and other sources of information and preparing in conjunction with and
subject to the approval of the Department a plan for implementing conservation measures.
(c) Submitting to the City Council proposals for the expenditures of funds for the purpose
of shellfish conservation.

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(d) Keeping this division under review and making recommendations for its amendments.
(e) Securing and maintaining records of shellfish harvest from the City's managed shellfish
areas and closed areas that are conditionally opened by the Department of Marine
Resources.
(f) Recommending conservation closures and openings to the City Council in conjunction
with the marine resource scientists of the Department of Marine Resources.
(g) Submitting an annual report to the municipality and the Department of Marine
Resources covering the above topics and all other committee activities. The Shellfish
Management Plan shall include an annual review, budget, and objectives for the following
year and will follow the DMR regulations as outlined in DMR Chs. 7.20 and 7.30.

Page 23 of 27

Sec. A-6 Rule 6: Rules.
[Amended 1-6-2026 by Ord. No. 2025.168]
a. The rules or orders of the Council shall be observed in all cases unless suspended by a
two-thirds vote of the members present, for specific purposes.
b. No rules of the Council shall be repealed or amended unless a two-thirds majority of the
members of the Council concur therein. Amendments to the rules of the Council shall be
approved by two-thirds vote and shall take effect immediately.
c. No orders of the Council shall be repealed or amended unless a majority of the
members of the Council occur therein.
d. The above rules and orders are hereby adopted and all rules and orders inconsistent
with the above are hereby repealed.

Page 24 of 27

Division 18 Standing Committees of the City Council
a. The following shall be the standing committees of the City Council: Personnel; Capital
Projects/Operations; Policy; Finance; and Traffic Committee.
b. (Reserved)
c. The Capital Projects/Operations and Policy Committees shall consist of a Chairperson
who shall be a City Councilor; two additional Council members; and three citizens. The
three citizen members shall be appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Council. One
citizen member shall serve as an associate member. The associate member shall vote only
in the absence of any regular member of the Committee. A quorum of the Committee shall
be three members. The Chairperson shall be appointed by the Mayor.
d. The Personnel Committee shall consist of a Chairperson who shall be a City Councilor
and three additional Council members. There shall be no citizen members on the
Personnel Committee. The Chairperson shall be appointed by the Mayor.
e. The Traffic Committee shall consist of a Chairperson who shall be a City Councilor, two
additional Council members, and three citizens. The three citizen members shall be
appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Council. One citizen member shall serve as
an associate member. The associate member shall vote only in the absence of any regular
member of the Committee. A quorum of the Committee shall be three members. There
shall also be one non-voting student member appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by
the Council. The Chairperson shall be appointed by the Mayor.
f. (Reserved)
g. The Council committees are subagents of the full Council which is the sole governing
body of the City of Biddeford. The committees are delegated various functions by the full
Council and are to provide recommendations upon which the full Council will act except
where otherwise specified. The committees will examine the appropriate subject matter
before them, collect the facts pertaining thereto and make a report, which will recommend
what action, if any, should be taken by the full Council. Additionally, each committee may
take whatever action is specifically authorized by the Charter, ordinance, or state law. The
City Council shall receive regular reports of the various Council committees' activities.
Such reports shall be scheduled at such times and at such meetings as may be
determined by the Mayor and the Council President.
h. In general, the committees shall have the following subject matter before them:

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(1) Finance Committee. The duties of the Finance Committee are set forth in the City
Charter and Code of Ordinances.
(2) Personnel Committee. The Personnel Committee shall be responsible for and review all
matters pertaining to employment with the City of Biddeford. It shall review the salaries of
department heads and the City Manager. In the event of a termination hearing, for cause, it
shall serve as a fair hearing authority before whom an impartial hearing shall take place
involving the subject municipal employee. Its responsibilities shall specifically include but
are not limited to include the following:
(a) Reviewing the salaries of department heads and the City Manager.
(b) Reviewing workforce data, including employee turnover, vacancy trends, exit-interview
summaries, and patterns in employee concerns or workplace issues to identify
organizational needs and recommend policy improvements.
(c) Participating in hiring and separation processes:
[1] Participating on interview panels for candidates for employment, through one or more
members of the Personnel Committee, when requested by the City Manager, consistent
with applicable laws and established hiring and personnel procedures.
[2] Participating in exit interviews, through one or more members of the Personnel
Committee, when requested by a Committee member, consistent with applicable laws
and established hiring and personnel procedures.
(d) Reviewing proposals for new positions, reclassifications, and significant organizational
structure changes to assess policy, workforce, and fiscal implications. Job descriptions for
newly, created or substantially revised positions may also be reviewed to inform the scope
and intent of the role.
(e) Reviewing all employment agreements involving department heads or the City Manager
and providing a recommendation to the City Council.
(f) Reviewing, in executive session, separation agreements involving municipal employees
for general awareness and understanding associated fiscal impacts. Such review shall not
imply approval authority or involvement in personnel decision-making and shall be
conducted consistent with all applicable confidentiality requirements.
(g) Requesting and reviewing reports from the City Manager on recruitment, retention,
workplace climate, staffing trends, and other personnel matters to ensure the Committee
has the information necessary to fulfill its policy responsibilities.

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(h) Reviewing and recommending amendments to Chapter 50 of the Code of Ordinances or
other personnel-related policies for Council consideration.
(i) Serving as a fair hearing authority appellate body in the event of an appeal by a City
employee of progressive discipline imposed pursuant to the City of Biddeford Human
Resources Policies and Procedures. Also serving as the fair hearing authority appellate
body in the event of termination of an employee for cause.
(3) Capital Projects and Operations Committee. The Capital Projects and Operations
Committee shall establish a five-year plan for implementation of major capital
improvements in the City. It shall review matters involving the Public Works Director,
Public Works Department and issues related to municipal infrastructure and public
property. This committee shall review the City's claims issues, insurance issues, making
appropriate recommendations to the full Council when necessary. In addition, the
Committee shall review departmental capital requests and recommend to the City Council
the capital improvement plan (CIP) projects to be funded annually.
(4) Policy Committee. The Policy Committee shall be responsible for establishing and
recommending ordinance language, Code revisions (except for changes related to traffic
movement and parking), and City policy to the full Council. The Policy Committee shall
coordinate with the City Planner and the Code Enforcement Officer regarding the
amendment, establishment and/or update of the City's land use ordinances.
(5) Traffic Committee. The Traffic Committee shall be responsible for reviewing matters
within Chapter 42 of the Code of Ordinances and any proposed amendments thereto. The
Committee may review policies and proposals relating to traffic movement, parking
regulations, and matters relating to bicycle, pedestrian and vehicular traffic. The
Committee may request traffic studies, data reports, or other relevant information from
City departments, including but not limited to Public Works and the Police Department, for
the purpose of evaluating safety conditions and making informed recommendations to the
City Council.
i.
Each committee meeting is a public proceeding as defined in 1 M.R.S.A. § 402(2). Each
committee may hold executive sessions pursuant to the conditions and limitations
expressed in 1 M.R.S.A. § 405. Should a committee vote, in public, to proceed into
executive session, only those members of the committee shall be present in the executive
session.

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