The Biddeford City Council has approved measures that will provide financial relief to residents during the COVID-19 health emergency.
At a City Council Special Meeting held virtually on Tuesday night, the Council voted to waive interest on Fiscal Year 2020 property and personal property tax payments for sixty days. Interest will now begin accruing after June 8, 2020. Payments were previously due on April 8, 2020.
Additionally, the City Council has waived parking lot permit fees for the month of May for anyone who purchased a parking permit for the month of March. Parking permit holders will be directly notified of this change.
“Right now, it is more important than ever for us to support our neighbors and friends who may be deeply impacted by this public health crisis,” said Mayor Alan Casavant. “The decisions made at Tuesday night’s evening are important measures to provide financial relief during this difficult time.”
The Council also approved a plan to address concerns voiced by residents who are following recommendations to stay at home and generating larger amounts of household trash. Beginning on April 1, for each Pay As You Throw orange trash bag that is used, a free bag will be dropped off in replacement. Residents who do not have access to a Pay as You Throw bag and cannot visit a store to purchase one can call the City’s service hotline at 207-284-9020 for assistance.
The Recycling Center, located at 371 Hill Street, will reopen for limited service with large item disposal only. Additional details about procedures at the Recycling Center will be announced in the coming days.
Public Works will offer curbside pickup for brush and other yard waste while the brush disposal portion of the Recycling Center remains closed until further notice. Beginning April 1, residents can put branches, leaves, and other brush at the curb on their regular trash collection day and it will be picked up at no cost.
“We believe that the best way to protect the health of our staff and community members is to limit service at the Recycling and Transfer Station during this public health crisis,” said Public Works Director Jeff Demers. “These alternative plans for trash pickup and brush collection are in place to ensure that we continue to meet the needs of our residents while practicing social distancing.”
For more information on the City of Biddeford’s response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, please visit www.biddefordmaine.org/publichealth.