The following is a real-time recording of the Casco main select board meeting
for August 4th, 2026. There are no cuts or insertions.
» I'd like to welcome everyone tonight to the Casco Fleck Board regular board
meeting for August 4th, 2026. May we start by saying the pledge of
allegiance.
I >> aliance to the flag of the United States
of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
We have one minor um agenda change. We're going to move the select
board will discuss the water quality plan up to seven and the uh recreational
department programs down to eight >> just because we want
solid. >> Okay.
Do I have a >> I approve the meeting agenda with a
change? >> Second.
» All in favor? Five and0. Thank you very much. Approval of all bills and signing
and approval of the open warrants. >> So moved.
» Second. >> All in favor. Five and0.
Okay. Approval of the minutes for the July 21st. Has everyone had a chance to
read and review them and make sure they're correct? Okay. Do I have a
motion? >> So moved.
» Second. >> All in favor? Five and0. Okay. Public
participation. You have two minutes for non-aggenda items.
My name is David Kimble. I live at 782 Meadow Road. I'm here to point out a
crime in progress. 2 minutes, you say? >> Yes.
» Is that what you say? >> Hey, let's have a look at this.
» I'm going to try to be as socially and polit politically correct as possible.
But if you'll allow me the few moments it's going to take to get from this side
to that side. I'm going to go down an agenda that's right here. Right.
» Okay. But like I say, you've got the two minutes.
» How about uh >> that's what I want to point out to you
and I'm going to point this out to this environment right here. This environment
is non conducive to passing the word cuz there is a substantial crime and
progress. >> Talk to the microphone. It's going to
help. What we have is embasment market capital stolen from a map that was
nefariously not kept >> up to date. Let me start here.
» Yep. >> Hey, I won't leave.
» This is over. >> Let me get to it.
» So, politically correct as possible. Jason Farley,
2015, second generation surveyor from Casc.
His father was a surveyor. Well, found dead at home the night before my
come county tax 2015.
Cyrus Leech's wife, he died in 2005, she died in 2007.
By the time I bought that property in 2010, the market capital would have been
embezzled pretty well and covered up sloppily. I'll show you right here. We
are this is the insisting that I speak. When this started, I went into the town
hall, not angry. I was getting over some surgery, right? I'm not a big hurry
anymore. Anyway, you don't have a uh freedom of information request, right?
This is 2015.
Who in that office is contacting the
where what am I looking for? Yeah, right there. The mortgage company,
right? Who's in contact with the mortgage company? Because the mortgage
company, because I'm a veteran, determines the escalated taxes, right?
And processes the paperwork. So, I ask it, who's in charge of that? You got a
non-government office in charge of where the market
capital for the property in Casco is taken, right? They have no interest in
integrity, transparency, right? This is going straight to the stock exchange.
And yeah, the stock exchange, the ETF is what it's going under. That's where
somebody can pay somebody else's property taxes, put the value of that
property on the stock exchange. It was invented in 1993.
That was the same there in rugby for our good men over here, the loose head. When
they started lifting the lineups, when the ball goes up bounds and rugby, throw
it back in, you throw it down the center, six or seven guys by side like a
jump ball. They invented lift in the same year they invented the ETF. It's
kind of like an economic call that abstract. I'm going I'm going to go
through this. 99 >> they invent the uh North American Free
Trade Agreement where the ability from North America and
Canada. Right. >> I've already extended your time, Mr.
Kimble. >> I'm getting there. I'm getting there. I
appreciate it. Once I get through this, I'm Right. Wrap it up.
» This is for the time. I'm going back here. I'll read this out.
Power inherent in people. All power is inherent in the people. All free
governments are founded in their authority that's instituted for their
benefit. They have there therefore un unalienable and undefeasible right to
institute government and to alter the reform or totally change the same when
their safety and happiness required. at the same time a Jed surveyor second
generation Jed surveyor will get cover up. Okay. And it goes from here.
» Okay. Mr. Kimble, >> this is the tax record information sheet
that goes with the >> Mr. Kimble.
» Mr. Kimble, we've heard this a number of times.
» Oh, okay. and come up here and finish it for me because what what happens here is
I want to start from the start and get to the finish and uninterrupted because
this is a lesson >> okay
» for we the people and you're interrupting
» sir our agenda is 2 minutes for non and you have now been
» everybody else in the world is 3 minutes I've been up for 2 minutes for so long
while while Holly M Holly Hancock was in your seat right I'm only asking to get
from one end of this to Yeah, >> we've gone four already.
» Hey, you am I hurting your feelings cuz I'm coming back here.
» I haven't have to call sheriff's for on this. We're asking
» we're asking you to stop. That's all. >> Okay. Okay. Look, let's go. One more
thing, Texas. General, this is exactly
identical to the situation. Turon Mland and Vietnam did the same thing with the
record. >> All right. You want to call the
sheriff's popping? I'm going home. Have them come down there. I'm going now. You
want to start? You want to do a political what?
» What are you going to call that? >> That's all it is. They're asking you to
stop. >> This is economics right here. This is
the United States of America getting taken to the stock exchange place. I
will loose the farious record people. All right.
» If you give us a solution, we'll listen. >> What?
» If you give us a solution, we'll listen. >> Solution. Transparency. You have to have
transparency, right? These these lots, this area
has clearly been surveyed and it wasn't until the mortgage balance that all this
stuff happened and if if you just look at this, it's that here's a here is a
sound point. The Q system, which is what they use stock machine, right? We don't
know the cus numbers. They don't tell we the people of numbers, okay? Cuz they're
taking that to the stock exchange because they're covering the map and
paying the property taxes. And in fact, you look at what's going on stock
exchange. That just can't be real. But I only got one point right here. And you
know what? If you give me three more minutes,
» you know, this is it. >> If you give me 3 minutes after this,
I'll really explain it to you. >> No. No.
» No. There it is. Right there. And my good
man that loose had rose his hand when this began to take part in that to be a
liaison with me. >> She says, "No,
» Mr. Kimble, your time is >> 20 block one. That's $220,000
taken to the stock exchange by >> How many cabals paying mine properties
property taxes?" >> Hey,
» what was that? What was that? 8 minutes. >> He's got to argue. I'd have gone through
that without talking. You made a perfect point.
» All right, I got to do this one more time. No, you don't. No, you don't.
» Yes, I do, too. >> This environment right here has been
maintained by people that want to maintain control of of embezzled
deposits on the stock exchange. Have a meet me at the house. I got no problem
with that. I'll go downtown. >> Mr. King,
» this is worth it. Look, this is embezzlement and pro transparency is
bringing this map right down to >> David. Best case scenario, just just
just head out. Okay. Say good night. We appreciate you being here. I appreciate
you taking the time. We'll try to help. >> Yeah. I Let's Let's just finish it up
tonight. >> Okay.
» All right. Well, here I have >> Well Fargo
2015.
What are you saying? You saying that this town with this much embellishment,
this much trouble, this much obviously cover up is going to stand over this and
we are going to go to court. Okay.
» Try to get everything in focus over here.
There's the record of payment, record of billing.
» Mr. Kimble, >> what we have is okay.
» Next on the agenda, >> we're moving on. Go ahead.
» Manager's update. >> Is there any other open
» Is there any other public participation for non-aggenda items?
» Come on up to the microphone. >> And we apologize for this.
» Two minutes. >> I'm actually a little nervous.
» I'll probably mess this up, but anyways, >> take your time. Introduce yourself.
» Good evening. Uh, my name is Lindsay Laura. I live on Pine Hill Road in
Casco. Um, I'm here tonight just to express a little bit more concerns I
have, which I did probably a few weeks back. I was here on Pine Hill. Concerned
about all the trees that are um overhanging all the wires right now. Um,
especially going up Pine Hill on Kayla's Way. There's actually a huge branch in
the road and I'm petrified to even like drive on that side of the road cuz it's
over the wires and over the road. Um and going up on the left as well. I live up
on the top. So there's um a huge tree over crossing the road. Um not crossing
but over um and the whole way up the road there's trees all over the wires.
So like this should kind of get taken care of before winter if it was snow
right now. Probably wouldn't be safe to even drive on certain parts of the road.
» Can you say that out loud? >> Sorry.
» Don't say snow out loud. >> Sorry. I know. I Sorry. Sorry. Sorry.
Sorry. Sorry. But anyways, um, and like if there was a dump truck or
» two minutes is up. I'm just kidding. >> If there was a dump a dump truck or, you
know, a big box truck, it probably would rip down some of those trees, wires,
whatever. And I don't know who to contact, whether it's you guys to reach
out to Q team, Lucas Tree, whatever. >> What we have to do is get a hold of
Central Main Power Company. That's all their
» their responsibility. Good to know cuz I didn't know if that's something that
hires >> Lucas Tree has been doing a lot of tree
work in the area. >> Okay. So,
» good to know. Good to know. >> I think we can probably follow up and
take care. >> That would be great.
» Not a problem. >> Thank you.
» You're welcome. Thank you. >> Okay.
» Do we have anybody else or no?
» Sam, you got a minute and a quarter. No.
» Yeah. [laughter]
» Oh my god. >> You ain't even started yet,
» I'm sorry, D. Um, >> yeah,
» Sam Dave Dave took up all your time. >> I know he did. All right, I'll be I'll
be This is ridiculous. >> Um, three brief points. Uh, number one,
I would like to express my appreciation to the town manager for his open door
policy and had a great meeting with Tony last week. I'm learning about our
processes and I'm trying to coach our comprehensive plan implementation
committee to be judicious about what we bring to the microphone during public
comment. With that said, one thing I would like to bring up that is not on
the agenda, but I would love to see maintained on the agenda until a
resolution is found is the work on um the uh animal control situation. I don't
see it on the agenda tonight. I don't see it on the manager's update and
that's fine. But please on behalf of the community, I urge you to keep this in
front of us. And then finally, I wanted to share um the pride that I have uh
about the work we did with the open space commission and seven other
stakeholders in open space, including uh safe streets, the run club, lon echo, uh
water quality, ATV club, and the snowmobile club who all marched with us
for Casco Days uh under the oposes of uh open space and outdoors for all. and we
are the recipient of the spirit award and we are taking that momentum to
continue our work. So good job. >> Thank you.
» Thank you. Anybody else? Did I try to regain control?
Okay. Manager's update. >> Yep.
» Um again, this is going to you'll hear it a couple more times. This is a the
fivem minute invite. it's called uh it's to invite all residents to attend the
second Cascal Village community workshop that is scheduled for Tuesday September
15th at 5:30. Uh that meeting will be taking place instead of a select board
meeting. So that gives the opportunity for all the select board members to
attend. Um this will be an interactive workshop uh with uh resilience planning
and come up with uh some potential zoning concept development patents
design standards and regulatory approaches to help guide the future of
Casco Village. Um what this will be is a review of some key themes that were
previously um done at the first community workshop and this is just
going to end up working to help us come and facilitate hopefully some uh more
useful zoning that will preserve the village while also giving some
opportunities uh for multi-use. Um, the town has issued a RFP request
proposal for the delivery of screen sand for 2026 27 winter season. Sealed bids
are due on August 13th and must include the recently received analysis verifying
compliance of this material specification. Uh, I anticipate the
contract being awarded to the being awarded by the select board at your
August 18th meeting. Um, one thing that has come out since this is the RFP for
the sanding salt shed uh has been out and that will be um brought to the
select board at your September 4th. I have to remember your first meeting in
September. I'm trying I don't have the calendar in front of me. Um so those
will coexist and the work by that on the uh Sam Schultz said will have to be done
by midocctober. >> It's actually September 1st. September
1st. September 1st. >> Um GP Cog in the town will host a public
open house on August 12th uh from 4:30 to 6:30 at the Websmill part to provide
information and gather feedback on a proposed four-way stop at that
intersection of Poland Spring Road, Websmill Road and Pine Hill. You'll find
there's been a flyer that has been put out there with a QR code that has been
put on our Facebook. Um it's going to be on our mailers. Um so anyone who has
especially if you live in the Webs Mills area, but we encourage anyone to attend
uh that uh open house. Uh public works has received a new
sprayer and will provide the department the capability to paint crosswalks,
pavement markings, and handicap parking signal in house. Uh the new equipment
will be used also to assist um preservation equipment. you can take it
off where the spray paint portion is and use it for spraying with a water base to
help clean off the the trucks during the winter season. Um, as you'll find out as
you look outside, one of the first things that will be used there is
repainting the crosswalk since it just got paved over. So, that will be one of
the uh first items done.
Um, road uh foreman Mike J and I have been inspecting some private roads um
that received winter maintenance from the town. sure they remain compliant
with the 1972 private roads standards. At this time, there are two private
roads, Konav and Lower Coffee Pond, that have been identified as not meeting
those standards. Um, you'll find out Coffee Pond uh road, the turnaround is
is non-existent for when it needs to be. Uh the other one on Cone is a say it's a
washboard is an understatement on one end of it by Valley. Um, again, these
should be fairly easy fix for both of the road associations, but we're going
to give them some notification if they don't fa do it, what the consequences
are.
I got a couple more. Um, legal council has filed a 80k um, which is basically a
land use enforcement action uh, against the owner and lease of 50 Rabbit Run for
violating the town cease and desist order. Under this action, the statutory
enforcement mechanism is is to go before the court and seek court compliance,
civil penalties um from the court, which will then could also potentially be as
much as fines or authorize them to shut down, you know, actually go down and
physically lock that up. Um again, this action demonstrates the town's
commitment to ensuring compliance with with this ordinance is a decision by
this slot board. Um we anticipate um our legal staff asking for the court to
expedite this ruling since they have been in violation of it for over four
months and have not shown any uh avenue to comply with it.
One last thing, I'll be on vacation from August 28th through September 9th and
will be unavailable by cell phone or email during that time. During that
time, Chief uh Brian Cole will oversee any critical town manager
responsibilities and address any urgent matters that are required during my
absence.
» Okay. Thank you. Does anyone have any questions for
a couple of questions? I just wanted to confirm on the private roads. Um is this
still in process and you have found two thus far or is it you've reviewed all
private roads with snow plowing and We have not reviewed all of them.
» No. Okay. So, in process. >> Exactly. And these ones, put it very
bluntly, have come from other private roads complaints.
» Got you. >> Okay.
» Thanks. You're welcome.
» Amy, >> uh Amy Brown, Casco, just a quick
question. On private roads like Coffee Pond Road, is the private road
association responsible for the safety of
the access to the main road on that road or is that not part of their
responsibility? >> It depends what you defined access.
You're talking about where the entry aspect that private roads until it
becomes a public road. They're responsible for all that aspect.
» Yeah. I realizing it's a difficult situation and I don't know what the easy
answer for them is, but um as someone who goes down that road on a daily
basis, that is a incredibly bad accident waiting to happen. Um the houses down
there are just getting bigger and bigger. There's more and more traffic,
more and more people using the boat ramp, um larger construction vehicles
coming out all the time. And when you go to turn onto that road, it's not even
wide enough a lot of times when you come face on with another car. But again, not
an easy solution, but definitely something that is an accident and a bad
accident waiting to happen.
Thank you for that. Okay. And moving along, the select board
will consider an update updating the following policies. community center
facility use and remote meeting policy. >> Uh included in the packet is an updated
uh community center/ facility use one. Um that was after legal review. Uh again
it is the substance has not yet changed much but the uh some of the wording
verbiage has uh again when they provided me um the updated they did not provide a
redline version of what I presented just because there was multiple changes uh
and when I got back from them I didn't have the opportunity to do a redline
version of it. Uh so to me it's up to for the board on that one to determine
whether they want uh myself or staff to come back with a redline version to say
what the true differences are between what the original proposed uh uh policy
was and what the one recommended by legal staff. Um this other one that was
in the remote meeting pro is again I think they're talking about at the
workshop. This will be a probably a continual one. Uh included in your
packet is what MMA's model policy is. Um whether you want to tweak that and make
that become the town's policy with some finer uh alterations that would be up to
this point. And I've already tweaked it once. I ran
it through AI four times today. But getting back to the community, I do
have three questions. Um and one of them is a number thing and I'm big on
numbers. um on the available spaces. >> I saw that same thing. Yes,
» it goes community center entire space concentrated use capacity 211 mixed seat
use seating capacity 270. That's the only one that mixed use is higher than
the concentration >> and I added those numbers up and they
just don't. So that's
» 12. It should be 210. If all you add the gymnasium, kitchen, small and large
meeting room, it's 210. >> Yeah.
» So, >> but then again, if you do the
concentrated people and you add up from the gymnasium all the way up through,
it's it's over 400, I think. >> Well, if you're counting the 270
» because the 75 it's 210. >> Yeah.
» Which >> 345 350
» like I said >> 427. redone.
» Those could be redone. >> Yeah. Okay. And and I didn't I knew they
could be redone. I just wanted to bring it to the attention.
» Y >> um then
scrolling down just a little bit more. Uh the required dep damage deposit of
$50. I'm just wondering is that too low?
because most everything in this building costs more than $50 and it got damaged.
» You look at people.
» Yeah. No, I I just No, I'm sitting here and I'm looking straight out. I'm not
looking at you. I'm just >> What was this? What was the one that you
just said before? >> $50.
» Yeah, the require Yeah, the required damage deposit is a
» is $50. I mean that is low I think right now for
most of the building it's forest and it's not you know
you're not banging around okay using something in the gym or having
changed in the future but it's now coming
» I just want to make sure that if we did have a situation that it wasn't going to
affect your budget in any Okay. So, if you know if something really big went
down, we just want to make sure that we're covering you
» as well. I I agree it's low, but I'm I'm also a little worried about
» accessibility and if we made it too high.
» Again, I've got that same >> Yeah. So,
» but I just want to make sure we balance that. I I will say Julie will say for
one thing for sure, she's terrified now of the these padded chairs with
frosting, red frosting getting ground into them.
» So again, it's one of those >> but it's seriously that's how the
examples she used. But again, it's one of those things where if there is
excessive damage over the deposit, there are other avenues that the town could
take if it so choose to see >> agreed. I I just wanted to bring it up
because a $50 deposit is not in today's world is
» when you buy a gallon more. >> Do you have a comment on this?
» Tom McCarthy South Casco. So when uh organizations outside of the town uh
that I've been in have used the facility and a 401c3
uh if you go much more than $50 for a security deposit are going to go look
elsewhere. So if we haven't had problems with damage then my suggestion would be
to leave it at $50. >> That's fine.
» That's fine. Like I said, I'm just bringing up things that
Lord likes to me. And the last one, it's also in that same line was actually in
town man. Um, town manager re review. Let's see. Next one. Required damage
deposit. Um, why can't I find
exactly what? Because what it says is the security deposit shall be collected
for the facility shoes that requires a reservation.
And again, I'm I'm being devil's advocate here.
When you say requires a reservation, does that mean we need a security
deposit? And I know the answer, but again,
um for committee meetings because we have to reserve the the rooms,
do we have to pay the deposit? Trust me, I'm just being
» Yep. >> Yeah, you got to stand up. You got to
say who you are. Who are you? >> Beth Lazy, recreation director. Um, I
think that was more for somebody who scheduled a party again
that you know we shut down the room or there was two or three people that
wanted at the same time that there would be a consequence if they didn't didn't
use it cuz we have had people in the past that will say they want to have a
party and then then you know 10 minutes before it was supposed to start they
call and say we don't need it. >> Right. And again, it's more just I want
to make sure all our verbiage right so that someone can't take it out of
context when they say, >> you know, how come what how come the
CPIC doesn't have to pay its damage deposit every time they reserve the
room? >> It is. Or water quality. We know how bad
that is. >> Wait, that means I would have to pay
too. >> Yeah,
» I think we just need to put some verbiage in there,
» right? saying that it's for private, you know, private res
» and you know, that's the whole purpose of this review is to check over and see
where we need to make changes and that's all I was bringing up.
» So, I have one other comment, Bob, and I apologize. I didn't uh see the revised
after it went through the attorney. Uh, does it still have in there the priority
order of booking? >> Yes.
» Yes. >> Okay. And once it's booked,
then that group can't be bumped,
» Tony. >> Because I think any anything can be
bumped for depending on what the situation is.
» And again, it comes down to the town private priority list. Yeah. which is is
first obviously. >> So
if an organization books a room 6 months ahead,
validates that reservation a month ahead,
10 days ahead, they can be bumped for a non select board meeting.
I don't think that's fair.
And you're not going to get people to book the facility with those kind of
rules.
» Okay. >> I know the priority looking at the
priority order is number one is town boards and committees, meetings, and
functions. >> Right. Right.
» So they're going to be at the top of the list anyway.
» Correct. >> So
the only way they could be bumped if there was a select board issue. Correct.
Well, I'm going say if what you're hear is
again, and I missed the first part, so I apologize for the if you're saying it's
a non a non- town board, someone's renting it and they have an emergency
aspect where they have to deal with the planning board or the site board,
» they can get bumped even if it was 10 days before something along.
» But I think Tom was and maybe I misunderstood you. You were talking
about this being a town board. >> No, no. Okay. Sorry. Uh in in this case
uh the lake association
reserved the room in January, reverified it in May, and then were bumped 10 days
ahead of time. We were accommodated over in the old
bank or whatever that building was. I'll be honest, it was an embarrassment to
have a meeting there and
we should have a calendar that shows the bookings
and once you book it and you've paid your deposit, you shouldn't be able to
be bumped unless it's an emergency meeting of the select board.
» Okay. Yeah, >> we like I say this obviously will not be
approved tonight. Well, >> so so th those words I sent to uh Tony
a couple weeks ago when this first came out. So, I'd appreciate if something
along those lines could be incorporated.
» Sam Brown, I'm Hill Road. Um, if I could ask a couple questions. Um, I don't see
in the in the draft here it it it says there's a subheading it item G which
lists fees, but I don't see anywhere else in the draft where fees are
outlined. Did I miss it? Is it are they outlined in this?
» It says says it should be the amount specified on the town fee schedule.
» I see. So that's supplement. That's separate that's separate piece.
» Yep. And um [clears throat] is the is the spirit of the program to try to
promote more use of this facility by other groups and potentially drive re
drive it as a revenue source. >> I I'll speak when I worked on this. This
was not and my intention was not ever to make this a sole revenue source. It to
me it's a community center. It's trying to develop the spirit of community
trying to enhance use of of it. So, and trying to make it cost neutral
associated with that as much as possible. And then along with that would
be would there be um sort of an application that you know a an applicant
would download and submit and for formally fill out and
» um okay because I I do see the priority list um which is listed under
uh provide email. So it's priority of use. It shows town boards, town
departments, service groups, special events, special interest groups, and
that's the priority list. Um because I the reason I'm asking is similar to Tom,
you know, we host our open space meetings here and safe streets meetings.
Um the uh um precedent currently whether it's right or wrong is generally I
create a a calendar invite and invite Tony and Beth to it and assume that
they're going to and Allison Griffin and then presume that because those meets
are scheduled open space is third Monday and um uh St. is third Wednesday. So
it's more of a reminder. Um, but I guess we would I would like to get some
clarity around whether that will continue in that fashion or whether we
it would be more formal. >> Again, I would much prefer a more formal
process where you just fill it out. Again, it's one application do it for a
year and that way it's on on the cat way.
» Yeah. And then I agree with Tom like ideally there would be a calendar where
and there is a calendar on the website but not all meetings are always are
always posted. We're working I have multiple calendars
with our new website which will hopefully alleviate some of that
aspects. >> Great.
» We're working at better communications. >> I know you are.
» So we are >> okay.
» So does anyone else have anything to >> I have a question on the on the damage
deposit which is $50 >> and then [clears throat] it says fees.
But if we if we have to do a cleanup after the event or whatever they're
doing, would that be taken out of the deposit for for the damage fee? In other
words, if Beth comes in, she has to have cleanup people come in and clean up that
room where they leave it a mess. Will that money can we recoup that money from
that $50? If you're saying beyond the traditional, you know, we're going to
have a put the chairs out in like that. If they have to come in and do a
scrubbing cleaning and something like that, that would come out of those fees.
» Okay. Thank you.
» Do we have any Sounds like this one's still in the
works. >> Yeah, this one that both of them are
still in the works. Okay, >> there's some good things in this sample
policy from MMA. I just think there I think it's something that can be tweaked
and what I'll do is I'll send the board my
my AI report. >> Perfect. Okay,
» I'd send it now, but I only have the one copy and I've already made notes on it.
» But it basically took MMAs and just made it easier to understand.
» I'm sure Joe, you understood it exactly as it was written.
» It was definitely missing the nuances and we needed to make it our own.
» Exactly. Exactly. Exactly. >> Uh Amy Brown don't know is this an
appropriate time for an update on the meeting room?
Yes, it would be. Yes, it would be. >> Okay, thank you.
» Do we have an update on the meeting? >> Courtney Walsh, Johnson Hill Road.
[clears throat] >> I would just like to submit my
preference of AI usage for our town. And I
understand that there's lots of new tools and everything,
but I have a real concern with us just using chat GPT or whatever to create our
documents. And I just want to make sure that we're reviewing them and fully
and I just want you to remember the impact
on the environment as well. Well, try I am the number one opponent to AI. I
don't like it, but I did it. I had a few minutes this afternoon, so I But even
then, I ran it through three times because I didn't like the way it was
coming up. >> Yeah.
» So, and then I sent it to Tony. >> Great. I just want to be careful if
we're just creating everything through AI that
» we're missing, right? >> We're kind of missing things. So,
» yeah. >> Do we have an update on that?
» No. >> No. Okay.
» Um, and I'll ABL the board right now that policy.
» So, he's going to >> Tonyy's going to email you my draft
right now. >> We just need to remind ourselves this is
a small community >> and the issues that come up with the use
of this facility about it, it's it's about it being a small community. So if
it's a snow day for the down the street, is it a snow day here or is it not? The
pickle ballers come when it's snow, sleep, rain, uh hurricanes, they want to
play pickle ball. Um and I'm I'm just I'm just talking like how how this
facility works, right? We heard from them in the past about if it's closed
down there, does it mean it's closed here? And we've been we've been uh I'd
say Beth's been super flexible to make sure that this these doors stay open as
much as possible. But that's the stuff we need to touch on this document, that
small town stuff, just to make sure that it feels equal and feels the same for
everybody. And um so that's the piece that we've got to
kind of like focus on. on the simply stated that this this document will
satisfy how we use the building, but we got to highlight a couple of those
things that we've heard about in the last two to 5 years about the use of
this facility. Those are the things that you just need to know, right? So, uh and
it sets the groundwork for everybody see the document. This is how it works.
» Yep.
» Okay. So, we will scratch Moving on. I think we're at water
quality.
So, Tom McCarthy, South Casco. So, on April 2nd of 2025, we held the
first water quality ad hoc committee meeting.
In January of this year, we submitted the draft to the select board.
We also had a peer review by LEA, Lakes of Maine, Lake Stewarts, Lake Smart, and
Raymond Waterways. We also had review by the select board
and the town staff. We have incorporated all of those comments.
We then had Courtney do a phenomenal job doing the graphic arts and formatting.
So I am very happy to say that the work of
Sarah Ferry, Jim Arsham, Diane Cormier, Pam Edwards, Maggie Monarch,
Levi Thornton, and Eileene Tid
resulted in what I believe is a phenomenal document. We have gotten a
lot of requests from people outside of Casco for copies of this document and I
told them that soon as you approved it, we would get it to them. So, tonight
we're requesting that the select board approve the water quality plan for the
town of Casc. Any questions?
» Anybody have a question? >> Yeah, I've got a a few. Um, so first
off, I went through it. graphics fantastic. A lot of the
content's great. Um, one of the things that I've realized when I started
running for this seat was water quality is a major component of a concern area
for a lot of the residents in this town and your committee is extremely
important. Um, and I definitely think we have a good start to a water quality
plan, but I'm concerned that there could be a little more opportunity for
more of a detailed list of what the goals are and what the committee wants
to accomplish. Some of the things that jumped out to me when I started going
through the plan was um I saw the reference to the task the water quality
ordinance task force. I think that's a great thing to include to have and focus
on you know not only because it looked like it looked correct me if I'm wrong
but it looked to me that a focus of the task force was to come up with
ordinances that could be recommended for future application.
» Yes. And I was also curious what we're doing
and what we're planning to do as a committee
to enforce the ordinances we have in place today as well.
» So >> working with the CEO and how that
relationship is developed. >> So we we were given some pretty
straightforward guidance that this committee is not an enforcement
organization. Uh what we do is we will review
uh things from the planning board which we've already started and then we make a
recommendation to the planning board and the CEO and the town manager
and the next step on this plan and it's a living document. So as time goes on
and we also didn't include lakes and streams in here
» because we wanted to get it done focus on lakes
» but the next step by the committee is to put together the water quality policy
for the town and that will have more implementation type uh items in it.
Okay, >> that you know the CEO will do XYZ and
the select board will do this and the committee will do that. But the as far
as the ordinances to uh
put requirements in place at an ordinance level, that's where we said
we're going to do the task force which will kind of like we did with the
village. It will not just be the water quality committee looking at it because
any ordinance that affects water is really going to be a zoning type
ordinance which then absolutely requires the planning board and then the select
board and then it's got to be taken to a town meeting. Uh
so this this document is the top level plan
that will live and grow and the next step is the policy for the
implementation. >> Okay. And okay, so then with that in
mind and you mentioned and I saw in here this didn't cover streams and rivers or
anything like that yet. Um but I don't think I saw maybe this is part of the
future plan anything about groundwater quality and
» I think that's probably beyond our capabilities to uh get into. Uh I did go
to the main lakes conference this year and talk to the state geologist
uh and there was discussions about the aquifers and the capacity of the
aquifers. They can predict sand and gravel
aquifers but they have no clue of the capacity of
a bedrock aquifer which is kind of scary seeing that a lot
of Casco has bedrock aquifers. Mhm. >> So when we start looking in the planning
board or even in the village zoning, we talk about growth and these kinds of
things. How much water is there? >> Yeah.
» And if we're sitting on bedrock, how much water can we pull out
» and how much septic can go back in when you only have a couple feet of uh soil
above bedrock. So, it is something the town needs to address, but it's going to
be something that we're going to have to go to the state geologist to get
knowledge. It It's not something that we could do at the water quality committee,
although it's critically important. >> Okay.
» Yeah. Because that's something that definitely worries me. I mean, we've had
a couple of droughts in the recent years and that has impacted groundwater level
as well as beyond just level and aquifer uh replenishment. Always also concerned
about um contamination potentially from
pesticide use or fungicides or whatever else somebody might be putting on their
lawns. So, that's been another concern of mine. So, so one of the things in the
plan is to uh coordinate with lake associations and
do watershed surveys. So, that water a watershed survey will
point out those types of things. Uh we've already kicked off the first
watershed survey that uh is in coordination with Thomas Pond because
somebody just happens to be on that board.
And matter of fact, we got a meeting with DP on Monday to kick that off. So,
uh, Thompson Lake has just finished theirs. I believe Crescent Lake has done
one fairly recently also, but there's 18 watersheds in Casco.
Most of them end up in Sebago, but about a third of them uh end up going east and
north. Uh so a as we work through and we are
working with the lake associations uh we've had good response with meetings
with lake associations so it's going to be a coordinated effort with them uh
watershed surveys are important and with that we can also uh we're working with
open space and CPIC on as we go forward on looking at zoning uh for residential
uh CPIC is has a subcommittee that's working to pull something together to
bring to you guys in the very near future.
» Okay. And this might be more of a question for you guys because I wasn't
here when the water committee was charged, so it might just be me not
having that information. Um, what is the long-term plan to look at uh
enforcement from some of the things that could come from new if if a new code is
recommended for example and then we were to vote on it, approve it, is that
something we're going to just work through the CEO with to make sure it
gets enforced and do we have some insight in how the water quality
committee can work with the CEO in the future?
what the legal has advised on that they should is to prevent them from being
quasi legal aspect or authority. >> So no testing or anything,
» you know, their aspect is if they're worried about um violations or the
observations, it is then their role to report to D code enforcement and they'd
be the enforcement mechanisms. >> Yeah. Absolutely.
And the lake associations kind of like the idea that the town had a water
quality committee. So when they have concerns, they can bring it to water
quality committee who will then take it to the CEO and then they're not tattling
on their neighbor and then you you get, you know, animosity on a lake and that's
a [laughter]
» Yeah. >> Any other questions?
Uh I I just have one. It's kind of a big question, but um I was just wondering
what criteria you use for the watersheds because I know it been discussed and
that it is a very important part of this plan. I was just wondering what criteria
you used in determining what was the watershed over.
» So So the watersheds came from uh the state.
» Okay. So th they are documented available online. Uh they're also in the
plan. >> Yeah.
» But uh we also uh a new tool that I'm working with uh a gentleman in my lake
association is an AI tool to do storm water runoff.
And we're already doing testing of that tool uh and have a very good correlation
with the water level in Thomas Pond based on the rain. Uh it's an AI based
tool that uses space sensors uh numerous databases
uh and it can tell you how dry the ground is. It has elevation levels. it
can do storm water flow runoffs and we'll be using that uh we're going to go
over it with the D on Monday and see if she's interested in expanded use of that
tool for doing watershed surveys. >> Awesome.
» Good. Just you know it's just curious >> because I want to make sure our wersheds
are protected and that we've got them all in there or
» you got 18 of them. There's no piece of land in Casco that's not in a lake
watershed.
» So, just to jump in here again, and I appreciate the additional clarification
cuz like I said, I wasn't here when the water was initially charged.
» Um, >> I may have missed it. Let me know if
it's if I missed it in here somewhere, but just um is there a general timeline
for some of your goals and >> No, it's just left open.
» No, it was left open. So, some we might be able to get to soon. Some of them uh
are going to take longer. You know, you currently have seven people doing this
work in concert with the town staff. I do believe we asked for nine at one of
the meetings recently and I think you voted yes but I don't think it's been
documented anywhere. So it as for approval of this plan if we could also
add in to make the committee nine people I
» I actually looked at past minutes and confirmed that when it was approved it
was approved at nine. So it already it it is already mine as
my understanding >> unless anybody disagrees.
» Okay. >> Anything else, Joe?
» Um
I think w with the understanding that there's a more in-depth plan coming down
the line, I feel better about what we have today knowing that it's kind of an
outline document and it's a great place to start. I think it's a great document.
I I always like concrete timelines, but I do too. Trust me,
» I understand. Yep. So, you know, I appreciate the information. Thank you.
» Yeah. Okay. Coming from the military to municipal government. Okay.
» Okay. >> Um
I read this policy a dozen times upside down
everywhere around. And I think that and I was the select board representative to
this group and I got a chance to to see them doing their work and I think it's a
tremendous plan and I think we should just go ahead and approve it and let's
let these guys move on to their next tasks. So, I'm going to make a motion
that we go ahead and approve the water quality plan that's presented
by the water quality committee and also to make sure that the committee is at
nine members. >> Okay,
» I'll second that. >> All right, so I have a motion and a
second. Do I have any discussion? The only thing I'm going to add is that
when open space came before us, we didn't we asked for a second reading on
that >> before we've approved it and we have not
yet approved it. Right. So, just trying to be fair.
» So, so you've had two different readings,
» right? >> Two different documents, two different
I'm comfortable. >> Okay. If Okay. If you're all
comfortable, I'm ready to go. All in favor?
» 5.
» Thank you. And with that, I got to get back to my grandkids
before my wife takes me in.
» Bob, thank you. >> Just a comment. This is this is great
work by our community, right? This is this is a very clear proper step in this
process. Um the more eyes the better we have when we're talking about water
quality. That's what they told us, right? They want us to pay attention to
it. The more eyes the better. So um if it's if it's uh this is step one or step
three or four in the process, we just got to keep moving.
» I I definitely agree. We got to keep moving.
I just wanted I also wanted to this was done without a contractor support that
this was all >> by the committee and then court
polishing.
» We appreciate your work, Tom. We really do.
» Now we just need to keep the momentum going.
» Absolutely. >> Yep.
» Thank you. >> Thank you, Tom. Have a good night.
» Now we will receive an update from the recreational department program and
community center. Where was my 72 question?
Nothing. >> Nice.
Okay. So, I'm going to start out by telling
everybody if you have little ones or anybody that's interested, uh, Thursday
we have kite day up at Hackers Hill. Um, and it's, if you've been there before,
it's a it's a great great atmosphere and all the kids get to have kites and
they're free and Maggie from Loe Echo and myself and John Martin who brings
the kites. Um, we have a blast and we watch them fly them and everything. So,
that's Thursday at 10:00. So, I'll move on. Just give you some
information of where we're at and what we're doing. Um, right now summer camp,
we have an average of 20 kids that are there. They're having they're having a
blast in the community center. Um, we're going tubing. We've gone um kaying.
We're going to Bridton and do some stuff up there tomorrow. Um, we went to the
Mad Science. We went to We've done all different kinds of things. It's a great
group of kids and they're having a blast. So, that's going on here. Um,
swim lessons, we had two two week sessions down at the at the beach here.
It was about 80 participants. And then in the winter and spring, we have a
spring two week and um a winter one. We had over six 60 we had 62 involved in
that. And I would like to try to add another session um as soon as we can
next year. We're one of the only towns that offers
swim lessons in this area. Um, and it there's a there's a huge need for it. I
personally think that every child should be able to swim for nothing. We live in
all these lakes. We talk about water quality and everything else. And the
kids that get in the water that don't know how to swim and it just it kind of
just, you know, I think it's we're we're doing the right thing with all the
lessons that we have. We just don't have enough instructors to keep it going. And
um so that's something that we we're trying to work on. Um tennis lessons we
had we had eight participants in that. Um and that's average of what we have.
Again, we're the only town that you know has provides that for the community. So
that's kind of neat. Um, the one thing that that I will talk a little bit about
because all of you that know me know that I love kids, but I love love love
the seniors and I try to do as much as I can for them. A lot of times recreation
departments, they think of kids and adults, but they kind of don't think
about the seniors. We currently have a Monday morning or Monday Monday lunch
here. Um, Linda Allen and Jan McGrath are the ones that cook it. Um, we have
probably around 40 people that are using it now. They come in, they play tribage,
they play cards, they talk to each other, they have they have lunch, and
then and then they leave later. Um, I have been in touch with um Southern
Maine MA agency on aging. Talked to them last week. We are going
to be doing one day a week that they will take over and do it all. They'll
come here. um we will take um people that that have parents that they're
taking care of that would like to get away for the day or anything like that.
They're going to come down here. They'll have six people. They'll take care of
the person that's here while the family goes shopping or does whatever they
want. Um and it'll be like a three-hour 3-hour thing that will happen. The other
thing that we're doing is we're getting a second lunchon through them. Um, and
they again will come down and they'll get everything set up. All we have to do
is pick the restaurant in the area that we want to provide the food and they
will pay for it all. So, this is all free and it's some some really cool
stuff that we're doing for our seniors. So, that's that's something that they
they'll have three days a week which is really good. Um,
we are two spots open for Cabbage Island. We're
going there on the 18th. So, looking forward to that. Um things that we
offer, we're going to be offering is is field hockey, basketball, softball,
baseball, run club, karate. Um we're coming back with chess and cribage for
the kids here after school. Um right now we have Amy might be able to tell me if
it's it's more, but right now we have pickle ball. We have nine sessions plus
three at Crooked River. Um, I think we're probably up from that, right, with
Libby Park and everything else. But, um, that's all. If you if you like the the
sound of pickle balls, just come sit at my office and have
coffee some morning. The funny part about it is I live in
front of Lon Haven in Naples and they have pickle ball courts right outside of
my backyard. So, I don't even it doesn't even bother me anymore. Um, so, uh, we
we currently have yoga two times a week, Saturdays and Thursdays. We are coming
back this year, Friday nights with the teen center here. We're going to have it
open for for kids to I mean, I think your kids invol were involved in that a
long time ago. So, we're going to bring it back and it's going to be really fun
for kids to go in different rooms and have different things to just hang out
with their friends and family can drop them off and they can go have dinner
someplace and it's nice. Um, right now because of camp we don't have playg
group but that's coming back. We have all kinds of toys and jumpy houses and
all that stuff that we put in the gymnasium. And we probably have, I don't
know, between 15 and 20 kids that come in here and and utilize the space, play
music and and everything like that. And the parents like it too. Um, adult
basketball, we have Monday, Wednesdays, menly men's league on Sundays, and
signups for that are coming up now. Um, we have adult volleyball in the
community center. um holiday celebrations, Easter, Christmas,
Halloween. Um and then we have the quilters and veterans committee that
come in here. Um there are five committees that meet in the community
center as well as the planning boards uh zoning board of appeals and the
select board. Um and we have many requests for birthday parties and other
family gatherings. So that's pretty much what we're doing right now. So,
any questions or >> Wow.
» That's all. >> Come on. There's got to be a little room
for something. >> Beth, I think you know
» I can I say one thing while while we're while we're talking is what going back
to what Grant said, um I think it's I and I don't really honestly I don't want
to say this, but I don't know where we ended up. I think that when we have snow
days and stuff like that, obviously not when it's dangerous to be to be out
riding, but I think that it's really good for pickle ballers or kids that,
you know, have a snow day or whatever to be able to come down here and and and be
able to use obviously with a parent or with somebody and be able to use the
community center um even though the other spots are are closed. So, sorry.
» So, good. >> So, go ahead. I think you and I have
talked long enough and you know how special I think you are, but I don't
think the town's people realize just exactly what we have in Casper for a
recreation program. >> Thank you.
» Just just the swimming lessons alone tells how much that our recck department
cares about our kids and with all the opportunities that our kids are being
given right now. if it wasn't for those opportunities and I saw it firsthand
having two young boys who went through everything in the wreck program and that
makes those that molds those kids into what they are today. You know the
coaches the volunteer coaches who are absolutely fantastic.
» Couldn't do that. >> My my boys were fortunate enough to grow
up in the Brian Crockett and Jerry Simpson days
» and and because of that they're who they are today. So if you don't realize to
the town's people, if you don't realize what we have for a wreck program, look
into it, you'll thank you'll thank everybody
later for looking at it. Your kids will thank you for looking at it because it's
an absolutely amazing program. >> And I do want to while while we're
talking about that, I do want to to everybody to know that my door is always
open. I never shut it unless I'm it's something that I have to do. Anybody is
welcome to go. I have kids that come in and, you know, want just want to talk or
whatever and and seniors. So, anybody that just wants to come down and chat, I
love that. >> Am I good?
» Thanks for all that you do. >> Yes.
» Okay, good.
» Courtney Walsh, Johnson Hill. Um, Beth, I just wanted to suggest my family in
particular would love an open gym situation. I don't know logistically how
that works, but I do feel the desire from, you know, I have a 12-year-old to
like just come down and play. And I'm sure you would say yes, but I think
having something more formal on the calendar might be a great idea. Anyways,
nice work. >> Thank you.
» Okay, moving along. This board will discuss the September 26th community
event.
You think the girl? Let's go.
» She doesn't need any help. >> Been ganging up on.
» Yeah. >> Uh hi. Um
we have taken the ball and Oh, >> we're here.
» Oh, wonderful. Um, I've got Janet and Pam here and we are taking on the first
ever uh Casco Community Fest. That's what we're calling it. Um, we have
confirmed that the last Saturday in September is going to be from 3 to 6 at
the Casco Community Park. Um, one of our largest incentives to do this
is coming directly from the comprehensive plan. um to engage more
with the community and to call in more volunteerism.
Did I get that right? >> So far so great.
» Um so leading with that um I believe that if we are to call more people in to
serve our town um we have to give them a reason to gather and fun and joy is
always important. um through the work I did with the branding project um
interviewing people around town um there was a common thread that people want
Casco to be more than just Casco days and I think that this is a really
exciting step in that direction. Um the main component
that we are um kind of focusing on is the meet and greet and we are asking
that all departments, committees and clubs in town have a presence have a
table presence and um I am going to be creating a passport of
sorts and every every table's is going to have a stamp and we're going to be um
I think I think making a sticker pack from the new branding as a reward for
stopping at all the um tables. We're still working that out, but some sort of
version of that to incentivize people um for the meet and greet. Um besides that,
we have hired a DJ, a local DJ to Casco um Joe Lurman. Um, we uh got approved to
use the snack shack or the concession stand. Um, we are going to have some
sort of food option. We are currently trying to sus out if there's any food
trucks that are available on such short notice on such a small budget. Um, TBD
on that. Um, we since we're doing it at the community park, there is the
playground for younger children and we're hopefully going to be doing a mini
touch a truck which is like where kids can climb in the trucks and stuff. I' I
spoke to Chief. He says that he would be on board for participating. Um, let's
see what else. Um, I'm hopeful that Oh, the library is going to do a story walk
on the trail where the um spooky trail is in the fall. The other clubs that are
going to be >> Oh, sure. The clubs that we are inviting
to participate include um uh the snowmobile club, the ATV club,
Lunco Land Trust, um the Run Club. Were they on our list?
» And we are >> the and the historical society.
» I is connect with cast. >> Okay.
» Okay. Great. Um,
I'm I'm looking to do some sort of community engagement activity. I would
love to have a cornhole tournament. Um, and with early signups and, you know,
encouraging teams and silliness and fun and joy. Um, but we are working very
hard. We're meeting every week to move this down the field and um it's coming
up fast. So, do you have questions?
No. I think it's a great idea to get the community involved in any way possible
and to find ways to get get them out of their comfort zone and get them to see
other people in the community so that they can work can learn and you
know learn who your neighbor is. >> Yeah. Oh, speaking of we're going to
have name tags which I'm quite excited about.
[laughter]
Um, >> no, I think uh being involved in the
Halloween event that happens there, I know that's a a heavy hitter, but
parking does >> sort of
could potentially be problematic. So, I would say uh do anything you can to
notify the neighbors and talk to the neighbors about an overflow idea. Um,
for the Halloween vent event, Beth does a nice job notifying the neighborhood
and they allow us some overflow parking for the volunteers down the edge of that
road, but just use one side of the road. So, um, I think that's just good.
» Yeah, we actually to consider. >> Thank you. We actually have a plan to do
auxiliary parking on the Berry property and shuttling
» over um Good. Good job telling people that.
» Yeah, that's good. Um,
Beth, I will talk to talk to you just if you want to pass any wisdom down from
doing an event there anymore. Did you have a question?
» I Sam Brown Pine Hill Road. I just want to comment that um you know we having
participated in municipal effort to create better engagement over the last
several years. Uh I think the town should take a bow for the three
significant engagement events that are on our calendar here in the in the next
6 weeks. Uh Wednesday next week we have the Webs Mills uh engagement event
that's happening right in Webs Mills regarding the the four-way and safe
streets and GP COG. Um September 15th we have the village partnership or rather
the village district work that's happening here on your select board
meeting and then this will be the sort of third event that's coming up um
really all in the next six weeks. Um I was commenting to the comp plan
implementation committee on Thursday last week that I don't think currently
it's easy for someone who doesn't know about it to go to the website and find
out about all three of these things. Um, so I would ask that uh the town manager
and the uh communications director consider as you work on the the calendar
itself someplace where it just says, "Hey, look at all these great community
engagement events that are happening. Please come out and join us cuz I think
this is a great great event and well, I'll be there to support it."
» Thank you. >> Um, something else to mention, we're
working with Allison. she is our member from the town. Um the save the date is
going to go out tomorrow. So if any of you are on social and want to push that
further that would be great. Um and the last time we spoke we were looking for a
liaison from the select board. So we are still open
and looking for that.
» What do you mean? [laughter] Yeah, that that's my problem.
» That what are your meeting? >> Um, right now we're meeting at a time
that Joe can't come, but we are happy to change it,
» which would be my problem also. >> Yeah,
» Thursdays at at 300 p.m. is what we're doing now.
» Yeah, Thursday is my worst day cuz I have meetings until 5:30.
» We're willing to change to have one of you um involved.
» More than happy to do that. >> Joe was raising his hand while I grabbed
his arm. Oh yeah, everybody's aware. >> I saw the muscle radius level.
» We accept Joe. We accept you. >> Can we push the meeting back?
» Maybe. >> Yes. Yes. Yes.
» That would probably work better. >> Yeah, I think we're pretty flexible.
» Yeah, it would have to be, you know, again,
» I'll send out an email. >> Okay. really excited about this and I
think it is a fantastic thing and I'm really excited to keep hearing more as
you guys go along >> and we would also like the select board
to have uh a table there as well. >> Sure, we'll be there.
» We'll make up a cornhole team this morning.
» I just want to reemphasize that really the the main purpose of this was to do
the meet and greet piece. And so you mentioned earlier how it's too bad
people didn't know about the wreck. Well, wreck would have a table. Our hope
is that wreck has a table. >> And so they would present themselves and
this is really just let our community know what the town is doing with their
select boards, their committees, everything that's going on. And that
component of coming together as a community is is the draw, the fun part
of it. So yeah, >> and I agree. If you see it come out on
your social media tomorrow to save the day, please everybody share it as much
as we can. >> And anyone who wants to volunteer,
please come our way. I mean, I'm assuming everybody else is on a board
because we all are on lots of different things, but
» and then Tommy.
» Yes, Tony will be there. >> I've already committed to it.
» Nice job. >> The first one we uh we signed up Tony
Tony's going to do the dunk tank. talk.
» Oh, I can get one over here. >> Also, Tony's been coming to our meetings
as well. >> The one thing I would say is please
share as much information you can. This is a an extremely aggressive timeline. 6
and 1/2 weeks from now is when this event's going to happen. Um, so it's
going to be all about marketing and putting it out there as much as possible
» so we can
» Good stuff. Yeah. Thank you very much. >> Thanks.
» Thank you.
» All right. The select board will consider a liquor license renewal from
Mikey Fudge. Uh including your packet is the request
for a renewal from liquor license from my just again it sounds like a broken
record of what we've done with most of our businesses. I have not received any
complaints regarding operations of the lodge or the restaurant. uh no known
violations through uh Bureau of Liquor. Uh they've been a uh positive neighbor
to their um to their community. Uh staff and I through our view would recommend
that the select board approved the application to be forward to the state
of Maine Bureau of Alcohol Beverages and Lottery Operations who is ultimately
responsible for the final approval.
Any questions? Do I have a motion? I move the select
board approve the liquor license renewal for Micas Lodge and have the application
forwarded to the state of Maine. >> One second. All in favor? Five and0.
All right. Then the fun the most fun one for the night. The select board will
discuss the preliminary tax commitment for 2027.
» And this is the preliminary one cuz there is a little bit of work. And
ultimately what's the good part is when we talked about this uh tax commitment
is ultimately the job of the assessor. >> Um what ends up coming down with the
select board typically will have his input on the overlay which does affect
um the mill rate. Uh in your packet you see a tax rate calculation form um that
was completed by our CL county regional assessing. Uh based on the current
valuation and budget information, the town can anticipate a mill rate increase
of 76 um which would put the mill rate to $11
per thousand of assessed value. This represents a 7.4% increase over the
current mill rate of 10.25. Um everyone literally want typically
want to say how does this affect the average homeowner? Um, when you look at
this calculation, uh, the minimum overlay is $48,749.
That is slightly less than this year's overlay and we used all of this year's
overlay. Um, but I the assessor and I feel very comfortable that would give us
the protections we need through um the process. Again, if you're not familiar
with main law, if we need more overlay, um for this after commitment, um
unassigned funds can be used um under main law. Um what is what ends up coming
down to uh the overall aspect um when you start looking at this is the average
and again the average homeowner um would see an increase of $35,129.
That's if they did not have a homestead exemption. If they had a homestead
exemption, uh that would be a $3329 increase. With that being said, that's
just the average house. You're going to have some who receive less obviously,
but the average house you're looking is in the 380 range. So, if you're having a
7 or $800,000, you're you're looking at I'll say a $700,000, you could look at a
a double increase of what I just quoted. So it varies by prop property by
property. So this is a is a significant hit and we'll uh we have to be aware of
the aspect from when I say we staff that we've been reported um what we're going
to have for abatements this year cuz that is uh an increase.
» Yes. >> Tony, I was curious on the business uh
equipment tax exemption. I saw a lot of the numbers listed out in here. Do we
have anything to do with that from the town level or is that all like state
IRS? >> Betty, is that comes down from the state
level? >> Okay. So, there's nothing we can
» Right. Okay. Right. >> Got it.
» And when you deal with personal property and again I getting into the weeds on
this one. Um, a lot of that is self-reporting. It's not going out
having an assessor look at it. It's business is self-reporting. or is the
assessment supposed to be done at can that be done at a town level or is that
something that gets done at all or >> um the vast majority of towns you do
that formatting just cuz they don't have the staffing capacity to go and do the
assessments. >> Okay.
» Cities like I'll say Portland does do it but they also have a substantial staff
that is available to do it. >> They can do it. Okay.
Again, this is no action needed by the board, but it is one of those before we
do get forward. Um, unless you want us to increase the overlay, which I don't
think would be the aspect for the board. Um, what you'll find out is again,
if you said zero overlay, you would only decrease the bill rate by three cents.
» Yeah. So, and again at which point then you would still have some you would have
to go for undersigned funds and that's not probably the
» when you look at the largest portion of an overlay again I would never re it's
in the $700,000 range that state standards where they can
where they can fall between. Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you.
Slackboard comments.
» Do I get to go first? >> Yep.
» Awesome. >> You're at that end of the table.
» Um >> yeah. Uh just a couple things. So
earlier Tony, um I I'd like some clarification on how how to how to
handle the manager's report or manager's update. I don't I I don't at the last
meeting I was like, should I do I ask questions now? Do I wait for select
board comments? Do you know what I mean? I I don't know how to how to do that.
So, um and one of the one of the triggers for that was the acco control
officer conversation. You know, that that uh idea of Sam's for agenda item is
exactly where that needs to land. Um but um I just want to know, you know, the
appropriate process to handle the manager's update um as a select board
member. And then um just a couple follow-up things on so um and we'll
receive I'm just looking for timing. We'll receive the RFPs for the roof on
this facility and does it include Brown A and anyway um but those are due like
the 13th of August. So we'll be making that decision at our meeting just after
that. >> Correct. Okay. Um, and then I'm more
concerned about the sand and salt shed because we're backing ourselves into a
corner on that project for sure with the timing. Um, and is it is it worst case
scenario that that project doesn't happen before the sand has to go in? I
mean, I just just want to talk it through so we we have the conversation
today instead of when we know it's happening. The RFP says the project will
be done by August, excuse me, October 15th. Okay, that that is a very again if
the select board decides with the award you want to postpone it to the spring
when I'm using an example, you have the authority if the contractor is willing
to agree to that. I just I feel like we're what and just I
just want to have the conversation guys. When we when you give them zero timing
that gives us zero control over the idea of the cost of it, right? Like it it
really fats us into a corner. We end up seeming like we're a little desperate to
get it done and that's just a tough place to be in the construction world.
So I just want to just have that conversation out loud. That's all.
And again, I think to answer your question, Grant, Rob, if you don't mind,
» no, not at all. >> The managers um uh on my notes, this to
me, it's not intended to be a dialogue. It's it's meant to be anformational
aspect. It's like here's what's going on so you're aware of it. Um again, it's
one of those if you want it something as an agenda item, uh that should be that.
Again, simple questions are easy, but I don't think it's fair to the public if
we're going to have an extensive dialogue about that. No, that's that's
why I was bringing it up, Tony, to be honest, cuz I I think that we can also
uh as as that information is uh coming in front of us in the packet,
» like uh you know, maybe there's a heads up, maybe there can be a a preheads up
that this maybe needs to be adjusted, but I don't want to sabotage it that way
either. And I certainly don't want to I don't want to get the public thinking
that there, you know what I mean? like that Jason an awful lot happens in that
manager's report that doesn't if you don't go looking for it you don't if you
don't go looking for it in the packet it doesn't show up on our agenda you know
what I mean like those items don't show up on this piece of paper so it's it's
difficult I don't want to dive in too deep on those for purposely as well
because it doesn't feel like they've been given enough notice about those
conversations so I just want to make sure we're doing it right that's all
» and the one thing that with the when the RFP comes in for Um, excuse me. The sand
and salt said if you're really concerned timelines in aspect you can not refuse
to accept it. I mean and >> yeah and that just and just let's talk
about that a little bit because that just means that that building has a
little bit less capacity >> and we just have to refill it more
frequently as the winter goes along, >> right?
» Yep. >> Okay.
I think Grant kind of touched on it, but I just wanted to make sure that the
animal control is updated on at the next meeting.
» Yeah, >> I'm good. Thank you.
» Tony, any updates on the forestry truck as of yet?
» Uh, we have not got any estimates yet, but that is um we've contacted uh
Greenwood to see if they could I think it's Greenwood. And don't quote me on
that, but let's see if they could assist us on that paying.
» Okay. [clears throat] >> All right. Then I've just got one
question for you or request. Um seeing as we've just finished the first month
of the new fiscal new fiscal year, could we make sure that um financials are out
by the 15th or
» Yeah. >> Yes. just and getting it make sure it
gets to the finance committee also. >> All right,
that's was my only request for tonight. Just like that.
» And now we got one more item to go.
I move the select board go into executive session per title 25 part 5
chapter 252 section 2006 to discuss concealed weapons permit application
0804 2026A and 08042026B
second. All in favor and O. We are in executive session.