City commits to paying contractor in-full

The Biddeford City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to find funds in its current budget to fully repay a contractor who led the effort to renovate the Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Resource Center.

Jim Godbout, a well-known community volunteer and philanthropist, appeared before the council Tuesday to provide an update about the project and its funding.

Earlier this year, city officials “cleaned out” an encampment of unhoused residents that was located adjacent to Mechanic’s Park on Water Street.

Part of the city’s plan to address issues related to the unhoused included funding a renovation project that would allow overnight respite at the Seeds of Hope building on South Street by renovating and improving the building’s second floor.

The Seeds of Hope building is a former Episcopalian church, built more than 100 years ago that takes up an entire city block.

On Tuesday, Godbout was asked to provide the council with a timeline of events that led to confusion about how the renovation work would be funded.

“City officials asked me in mid-June if I could help with the project that would provide expanded resources for unhoused people,” Godbout said. “I was happy to help because these projects are an important element for our community.”

Godbout told the council that he immediately knew that the renovation would be “a good-sized project” that would require the help of other contractors. The city, he said, provided a budget of $800,000 to complete the task.

In June, City Manager James Bennett told the council that the $800,000 project would be funded with federal funds the city receives for Community Development Block Grants (CDBG).

With the funding source seemingly secured, Godbout said he and others jumped in feet first, even though he was still involved in another massive project to convert the St. Andre Church building into a teen center, a $3.5 million project that took almost two years to complete.

Despite being stretched thin, Godbout told the council that he was confident he and others could finish the job at Seeds of Hope before winter weather arrives.

“Before we could even start work, we had to remove more than eight 30-yard dumpsters worth of debris from the second floor,” Godbout explained, telling councilors that the building’s roof repairs were the first priority for his team.

But both Godbout and the city were soon presented with a glitch.

Because the building is on the historic register, the renovation project required additional approvals and permits.

Godbout said he was about two-thirds into the project when he received a call in mid-August from city officials telling him that there were problems securing the CDBG funds and applying for the necessary historic renovation approvals.

“I couldn’t just walk away at that point,” Godbout said. “I decided to keep moving forward because the community needed this project done.”

Godbout praised the help and in-kind donations he received from several other contractors, pointing out that his team was able to complete the project well under its initial $800,000 budget, for a total of roughly $655,000.

Although Godbout made sure that the other contractors were paid, the city was unable to pay him for the full balance of his work. Godbout said he was thankful that the city was able to pay him $400,000; with a plan for him to raise an additional $250,000 in private donations to cover the project’s total cost.

“I couldn’t just walk away at that point. I decided to keep moving forward because the community needed this project done.”

— Jim Godbout

“I have been doing projects in Biddeford for more than 40 years,” Godbout said. “I am happy to help, but the cost comes back to me.”

Following Godbout’s presentation, Mayor Marty Grohman expressed gratitude for the work done by Godbout and others, including volunteers.

“Thanks for getting this project over the finish line,” Grohman said. “The key is that this project is done. It was a team effort and a significant achievement.”

Council President Liam LaFountain then made a motion to direct the city manager to find possible funding sources in the current budget in order to pay Godbout the balance he is owed.

“We now have an opportunity to make good on our obligation,” LaFountain said.

Councilor Marc Lessard said he was in “complete agreement” that Godbout and his team should be “made whole.”

“We all have to pay our personal bills on time,” Lessard said. “It’s no different for the city. We need to be more efficient, and we need to show appreciation for the help we received.”

Bennett is expected to provide the council with suggestions about potential funding sources in January.

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