BIDDEFORD — A citizens referendum on parking meters, which could put the kibosh on a parking garage in Biddeford’s city center, is poised to be on the November election.

Last year, controversy arose on the topic of developing a public/private partnership to build a parking structure in Biddeford’s downtown/mill district. Although there was no formal proposal, the potential project became a major topic of discussion, especially prior to the November mayoral election.

One aspect that upset some residents was a proposal that parking meters in the downtown be installed as part of an overall parking plan for the area, and as one of several mechanisms that would be used to finance a parking structure.

In November, resident Paul Therrien galvanized a group of residents to collect signatures on Election Day in favor of a citizens referendum that would let voters weigh in whether or not parking meters be allowed in the downtown.

The question doesn’t mention a parking garage.

As it’s currently written, it states simply, “Shall the City of Biddeford install parking meters in the greater Downtown Biddeford area?”

Citizen referendums are binding, so if the measure passes, parking meters must be installed; if it fails, they cannot, unless another referendum is held with an affirmative outcome.

Despite the lack of reference to a parking structure in the question, City Council President John McCurry said on Tuesday he believes the goal of the referendum is clear: “The intent is to pull funding out of the garage,” he said.

According to City Solicitor Keith Jacques, unless a citizens referendum calls for a vote on something that would be illegal, breaking a contract or something similar, the council must place the question on a ballot.

When the question is placed on the ballot is at the council’s discretion. Therrien asked that the question be placed on the June ballot. He said when he and others were collecting signatures, they told people that’s when the vote would occur.

The council, however, voted down a proposal for a June vote.

June votes historically have lower turnout than November elections, said resident Richard Rhames, who was on the council last year when the parking garage issue was discussed.

Because of the low turnout, “you won’t get as valid a read of public sentiment in June” as in November, he said.

Mayor Alan Casavant said he favored a November vote not only because of the larger number of people who will go to the polls at that time but also because the language of the question needs to be altered.

In addition, he said, “The council needs to be more educated on the parking garage, as does the public.”

A June vote would be too soon to do an adequate job of that, he said.

Casavant supports building a parking garage, saying it’s needed in order to further economic development in Biddeford’s downtown and mill district.

“I really believe parking garages are coming to Biddeford,” he said.

Without parking meters, the cost could be borne taxpayers, he said.

Some councilors said before the vote to place the referendum question on the ballot is taken, changes to the language are needed. For instance, said Councilor Michael Ready, the question calls for installing meters in “greater downtown Biddeford,” but that area is undefined.

The intent of the question can’t be changed, said Jacques, but the council could change the language to clarify it and add information discussing the ramifications of the vote.

City council voted to table the question until a later date.

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.