[0:00] The following is a real-time recording of the Casco main select board meeting

[0:04] for August 4th, 2026. There are no cuts or insertions.

[0:12] » I'd like to welcome everyone tonight to the Casco Fleck Board regular board

[0:17] meeting for August 4th, 2026. May we start by saying the pledge of

[0:21] allegiance.

[0:27] I >> aliance to the flag of the United States

[0:30] of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God,

[0:36] indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

[0:46] We have one minor um agenda change. We're going to move the select

[0:53] board will discuss the water quality plan up to seven and the uh recreational

[0:59] department programs down to eight >> just because we want

[1:06] solid. >> Okay.

[1:10] Do I have a >> I approve the meeting agenda with a

[1:14] change? >> Second.

[1:16] » All in favor? Five and0. Thank you very much. Approval of all bills and signing

[1:21] and approval of the open warrants. >> So moved.

[1:25] » Second. >> All in favor. Five and0.

[1:29] Okay. Approval of the minutes for the July 21st. Has everyone had a chance to

[1:34] read and review them and make sure they're correct? Okay. Do I have a

[1:38] motion? >> So moved.

[1:41] » Second. >> All in favor? Five and0. Okay. Public

[1:46] participation. You have two minutes for non-aggenda items.

[1:53] My name is David Kimble. I live at 782 Meadow Road. I'm here to point out a

[1:58] crime in progress. 2 minutes, you say? >> Yes.

[2:01] » Is that what you say? >> Hey, let's have a look at this.

[2:04] » I'm going to try to be as socially and polit politically correct as possible.

[2:11] But if you'll allow me the few moments it's going to take to get from this side

[2:16] to that side. I'm going to go down an agenda that's right here. Right.

[2:21] » Okay. But like I say, you've got the two minutes.

[2:23] » How about uh >> that's what I want to point out to you

[2:26] and I'm going to point this out to this environment right here. This environment

[2:30] is non conducive to passing the word cuz there is a substantial crime and

[2:37] progress. >> Talk to the microphone. It's going to

[2:39] help. What we have is embasment market capital stolen from a map that was

[2:46] nefariously not kept >> up to date. Let me start here.

[2:51] » Yep. >> Hey, I won't leave.

[2:54] » This is over. >> Let me get to it.

[2:57] » So, politically correct as possible. Jason Farley,

[3:02] 2015, second generation surveyor from Casc.

[3:07] His father was a surveyor. Well, found dead at home the night before my

[3:14] come county tax 2015.

[3:19] Cyrus Leech's wife, he died in 2005, she died in 2007.

[3:25] By the time I bought that property in 2010, the market capital would have been

[3:30] embezzled pretty well and covered up sloppily. I'll show you right here. We

[3:36] are this is the insisting that I speak. When this started, I went into the town

[3:44] hall, not angry. I was getting over some surgery, right? I'm not a big hurry

[3:50] anymore. Anyway, you don't have a uh freedom of information request, right?

[3:57] This is 2015.

[4:02] Who in that office is contacting the

[4:10] where what am I looking for? Yeah, right there. The mortgage company,

[4:17] right? Who's in contact with the mortgage company? Because the mortgage

[4:21] company, because I'm a veteran, determines the escalated taxes, right?

[4:26] And processes the paperwork. So, I ask it, who's in charge of that? You got a

[4:32] non-government office in charge of where the market

[4:37] capital for the property in Casco is taken, right? They have no interest in

[4:47] integrity, transparency, right? This is going straight to the stock exchange.

[4:54] And yeah, the stock exchange, the ETF is what it's going under. That's where

[5:00] somebody can pay somebody else's property taxes, put the value of that

[5:04] property on the stock exchange. It was invented in 1993.

[5:09] That was the same there in rugby for our good men over here, the loose head. When

[5:13] they started lifting the lineups, when the ball goes up bounds and rugby, throw

[5:17] it back in, you throw it down the center, six or seven guys by side like a

[5:23] jump ball. They invented lift in the same year they invented the ETF. It's

[5:29] kind of like an economic call that abstract. I'm going I'm going to go

[5:32] through this. 99 >> they invent the uh North American Free

[5:37] Trade Agreement where the ability from North America and

[5:43] Canada. Right. >> I've already extended your time, Mr.

[5:46] Kimble. >> I'm getting there. I'm getting there. I

[5:48] appreciate it. Once I get through this, I'm Right. Wrap it up.

[5:52] » This is for the time. I'm going back here. I'll read this out.

[5:56] Power inherent in people. All power is inherent in the people. All free

[6:00] governments are founded in their authority that's instituted for their

[6:04] benefit. They have there therefore un unalienable and undefeasible right to

[6:11] institute government and to alter the reform or totally change the same when

[6:15] their safety and happiness required. at the same time a Jed surveyor second

[6:23] generation Jed surveyor will get cover up. Okay. And it goes from here.

[6:29] » Okay. Mr. Kimble, >> this is the tax record information sheet

[6:34] that goes with the >> Mr. Kimble.

[6:35] » Mr. Kimble, we've heard this a number of times.

[6:38] » Oh, okay. and come up here and finish it for me because what what happens here is

[6:42] I want to start from the start and get to the finish and uninterrupted because

[6:47] this is a lesson >> okay

[6:49] » for we the people and you're interrupting

[6:52] » sir our agenda is 2 minutes for non and you have now been

[6:56] » everybody else in the world is 3 minutes I've been up for 2 minutes for so long

[7:00] while while Holly M Holly Hancock was in your seat right I'm only asking to get

[7:07] from one end of this to Yeah, >> we've gone four already.

[7:10] » Hey, you am I hurting your feelings cuz I'm coming back here.

[7:13] » I haven't have to call sheriff's for on this. We're asking

[7:19] » we're asking you to stop. That's all. >> Okay. Okay. Look, let's go. One more

[7:24] thing, Texas. General, this is exactly

[7:29] identical to the situation. Turon Mland and Vietnam did the same thing with the

[7:34] record. >> All right. You want to call the

[7:36] sheriff's popping? I'm going home. Have them come down there. I'm going now. You

[7:39] want to start? You want to do a political what?

[7:43] » What are you going to call that? >> That's all it is. They're asking you to

[7:46] stop. >> This is economics right here. This is

[7:48] the United States of America getting taken to the stock exchange place. I

[7:52] will loose the farious record people. All right.

[7:56] » If you give us a solution, we'll listen. >> What?

[7:59] » If you give us a solution, we'll listen. >> Solution. Transparency. You have to have

[8:05] transparency, right? These these lots, this area

[8:12] has clearly been surveyed and it wasn't until the mortgage balance that all this

[8:19] stuff happened and if if you just look at this, it's that here's a here is a

[8:27] sound point. The Q system, which is what they use stock machine, right? We don't

[8:33] know the cus numbers. They don't tell we the people of numbers, okay? Cuz they're

[8:39] taking that to the stock exchange because they're covering the map and

[8:44] paying the property taxes. And in fact, you look at what's going on stock

[8:47] exchange. That just can't be real. But I only got one point right here. And you

[8:52] know what? If you give me three more minutes,

[8:54] » you know, this is it. >> If you give me 3 minutes after this,

[8:59] I'll really explain it to you. >> No. No.

[9:01] » No. There it is. Right there. And my good

[9:04] man that loose had rose his hand when this began to take part in that to be a

[9:11] liaison with me. >> She says, "No,

[9:13] » Mr. Kimble, your time is >> 20 block one. That's $220,000

[9:18] taken to the stock exchange by >> How many cabals paying mine properties

[9:24] property taxes?" >> Hey,

[9:27] » what was that? What was that? 8 minutes. >> He's got to argue. I'd have gone through

[9:32] that without talking. You made a perfect point.

[9:35] » All right, I got to do this one more time. No, you don't. No, you don't.

[9:38] » Yes, I do, too. >> This environment right here has been

[9:42] maintained by people that want to maintain control of of embezzled

[9:49] deposits on the stock exchange. Have a meet me at the house. I got no problem

[9:53] with that. I'll go downtown. >> Mr. King,

[9:55] » this is worth it. Look, this is embezzlement and pro transparency is

[10:00] bringing this map right down to >> David. Best case scenario, just just

[10:05] just head out. Okay. Say good night. We appreciate you being here. I appreciate

[10:10] you taking the time. We'll try to help. >> Yeah. I Let's Let's just finish it up

[10:16] tonight. >> Okay.

[10:18] » All right. Well, here I have >> Well Fargo

[10:24] 2015.

[10:27] What are you saying? You saying that this town with this much embellishment,

[10:31] this much trouble, this much obviously cover up is going to stand over this and

[10:36] we are going to go to court. Okay.

[10:42] » Try to get everything in focus over here.

[10:47] There's the record of payment, record of billing.

[10:51] » Mr. Kimble, >> what we have is okay.

[10:54] » Next on the agenda, >> we're moving on. Go ahead.

[10:56] » Manager's update. >> Is there any other open

[11:00] » Is there any other public participation for non-aggenda items?

[11:03] » Come on up to the microphone. >> And we apologize for this.

[11:09] » Two minutes. >> I'm actually a little nervous.

[11:15] » I'll probably mess this up, but anyways, >> take your time. Introduce yourself.

[11:18] » Good evening. Uh, my name is Lindsay Laura. I live on Pine Hill Road in

[11:22] Casco. Um, I'm here tonight just to express a little bit more concerns I

[11:26] have, which I did probably a few weeks back. I was here on Pine Hill. Concerned

[11:32] about all the trees that are um overhanging all the wires right now. Um,

[11:37] especially going up Pine Hill on Kayla's Way. There's actually a huge branch in

[11:41] the road and I'm petrified to even like drive on that side of the road cuz it's

[11:46] over the wires and over the road. Um and going up on the left as well. I live up

[11:53] on the top. So there's um a huge tree over crossing the road. Um not crossing

[11:58] but over um and the whole way up the road there's trees all over the wires.

[12:03] So like this should kind of get taken care of before winter if it was snow

[12:08] right now. Probably wouldn't be safe to even drive on certain parts of the road.

[12:11] » Can you say that out loud? >> Sorry.

[12:13] » Don't say snow out loud. >> Sorry. I know. I Sorry. Sorry. Sorry.

[12:17] Sorry. Sorry. But anyways, um, and like if there was a dump truck or

[12:21] » two minutes is up. I'm just kidding. >> If there was a dump a dump truck or, you

[12:25] know, a big box truck, it probably would rip down some of those trees, wires,

[12:29] whatever. And I don't know who to contact, whether it's you guys to reach

[12:33] out to Q team, Lucas Tree, whatever. >> What we have to do is get a hold of

[12:37] Central Main Power Company. That's all their

[12:40] » their responsibility. Good to know cuz I didn't know if that's something that

[12:43] hires >> Lucas Tree has been doing a lot of tree

[12:45] work in the area. >> Okay. So,

[12:47] » good to know. Good to know. >> I think we can probably follow up and

[12:50] take care. >> That would be great.

[12:51] » Not a problem. >> Thank you.

[12:53] » You're welcome. Thank you. >> Okay.

[12:58] » Do we have anybody else or no?

[13:03] » Sam, you got a minute and a quarter. No.

[13:08] » Yeah. [laughter]

[13:13] » Oh my god. >> You ain't even started yet,

[13:16] » I'm sorry, D. Um, >> yeah,

[13:19] » Sam Dave Dave took up all your time. >> I know he did. All right, I'll be I'll

[13:23] be This is ridiculous. >> Um, three brief points. Uh, number one,

[13:29] I would like to express my appreciation to the town manager for his open door

[13:33] policy and had a great meeting with Tony last week. I'm learning about our

[13:37] processes and I'm trying to coach our comprehensive plan implementation

[13:40] committee to be judicious about what we bring to the microphone during public

[13:44] comment. With that said, one thing I would like to bring up that is not on

[13:48] the agenda, but I would love to see maintained on the agenda until a

[13:52] resolution is found is the work on um the uh animal control situation. I don't

[14:00] see it on the agenda tonight. I don't see it on the manager's update and

[14:03] that's fine. But please on behalf of the community, I urge you to keep this in

[14:07] front of us. And then finally, I wanted to share um the pride that I have uh

[14:12] about the work we did with the open space commission and seven other

[14:16] stakeholders in open space, including uh safe streets, the run club, lon echo, uh

[14:23] water quality, ATV club, and the snowmobile club who all marched with us

[14:28] for Casco Days uh under the oposes of uh open space and outdoors for all. and we

[14:34] are the recipient of the spirit award and we are taking that momentum to

[14:39] continue our work. So good job. >> Thank you.

[14:44] » Thank you. Anybody else? Did I try to regain control?

[14:52] Okay. Manager's update. >> Yep.

[14:56] » Um again, this is going to you'll hear it a couple more times. This is a the

[15:00] fivem minute invite. it's called uh it's to invite all residents to attend the

[15:04] second Cascal Village community workshop that is scheduled for Tuesday September

[15:09] 15th at 5:30. Uh that meeting will be taking place instead of a select board

[15:14] meeting. So that gives the opportunity for all the select board members to

[15:17] attend. Um this will be an interactive workshop uh with uh resilience planning

[15:23] and come up with uh some potential zoning concept development patents

[15:29] design standards and regulatory approaches to help guide the future of

[15:33] Casco Village. Um what this will be is a review of some key themes that were

[15:38] previously um done at the first community workshop and this is just

[15:42] going to end up working to help us come and facilitate hopefully some uh more

[15:48] useful zoning that will preserve the village while also giving some

[15:52] opportunities uh for multi-use. Um, the town has issued a RFP request

[15:59] proposal for the delivery of screen sand for 2026 27 winter season. Sealed bids

[16:06] are due on August 13th and must include the recently received analysis verifying

[16:13] compliance of this material specification. Uh, I anticipate the

[16:17] contract being awarded to the being awarded by the select board at your

[16:21] August 18th meeting. Um, one thing that has come out since this is the RFP for

[16:27] the sanding salt shed uh has been out and that will be um brought to the

[16:33] select board at your September 4th. I have to remember your first meeting in

[16:38] September. I'm trying I don't have the calendar in front of me. Um so those

[16:42] will coexist and the work by that on the uh Sam Schultz said will have to be done

[16:47] by midocctober. >> It's actually September 1st. September

[16:51] 1st. September 1st. >> Um GP Cog in the town will host a public

[16:57] open house on August 12th uh from 4:30 to 6:30 at the Websmill part to provide

[17:03] information and gather feedback on a proposed four-way stop at that

[17:07] intersection of Poland Spring Road, Websmill Road and Pine Hill. You'll find

[17:12] there's been a flyer that has been put out there with a QR code that has been

[17:17] put on our Facebook. Um it's going to be on our mailers. Um so anyone who has

[17:23] especially if you live in the Webs Mills area, but we encourage anyone to attend

[17:27] uh that uh open house. Uh public works has received a new

[17:32] sprayer and will provide the department the capability to paint crosswalks,

[17:37] pavement markings, and handicap parking signal in house. Uh the new equipment

[17:41] will be used also to assist um preservation equipment. you can take it

[17:45] off where the spray paint portion is and use it for spraying with a water base to

[17:50] help clean off the the trucks during the winter season. Um, as you'll find out as

[17:55] you look outside, one of the first things that will be used there is

[17:58] repainting the crosswalk since it just got paved over. So, that will be one of

[18:02] the uh first items done.

[18:07] Um, road uh foreman Mike J and I have been inspecting some private roads um

[18:11] that received winter maintenance from the town. sure they remain compliant

[18:15] with the 1972 private roads standards. At this time, there are two private

[18:20] roads, Konav and Lower Coffee Pond, that have been identified as not meeting

[18:23] those standards. Um, you'll find out Coffee Pond uh road, the turnaround is

[18:30] is non-existent for when it needs to be. Uh the other one on Cone is a say it's a

[18:37] washboard is an understatement on one end of it by Valley. Um, again, these

[18:41] should be fairly easy fix for both of the road associations, but we're going

[18:46] to give them some notification if they don't fa do it, what the consequences

[18:49] are.

[18:52] I got a couple more. Um, legal council has filed a 80k um, which is basically a

[19:00] land use enforcement action uh, against the owner and lease of 50 Rabbit Run for

[19:06] violating the town cease and desist order. Under this action, the statutory

[19:10] enforcement mechanism is is to go before the court and seek court compliance,

[19:16] civil penalties um from the court, which will then could also potentially be as

[19:21] much as fines or authorize them to shut down, you know, actually go down and

[19:25] physically lock that up. Um again, this action demonstrates the town's

[19:31] commitment to ensuring compliance with with this ordinance is a decision by

[19:35] this slot board. Um we anticipate um our legal staff asking for the court to

[19:41] expedite this ruling since they have been in violation of it for over four

[19:46] months and have not shown any uh avenue to comply with it.

[19:51] One last thing, I'll be on vacation from August 28th through September 9th and

[19:55] will be unavailable by cell phone or email during that time. During that

[19:59] time, Chief uh Brian Cole will oversee any critical town manager

[20:03] responsibilities and address any urgent matters that are required during my

[20:06] absence.

[20:10] » Okay. Thank you. Does anyone have any questions for

[20:15] a couple of questions? I just wanted to confirm on the private roads. Um is this

[20:20] still in process and you have found two thus far or is it you've reviewed all

[20:25] private roads with snow plowing and We have not reviewed all of them.

[20:30] » No. Okay. So, in process. >> Exactly. And these ones, put it very

[20:34] bluntly, have come from other private roads complaints.

[20:38] » Got you. >> Okay.

[20:43] » Thanks. You're welcome.

[20:47] » Amy, >> uh Amy Brown, Casco, just a quick

[20:50] question. On private roads like Coffee Pond Road, is the private road

[20:55] association responsible for the safety of

[21:01] the access to the main road on that road or is that not part of their

[21:05] responsibility? >> It depends what you defined access.

[21:08] You're talking about where the entry aspect that private roads until it

[21:13] becomes a public road. They're responsible for all that aspect.

[21:16] » Yeah. I realizing it's a difficult situation and I don't know what the easy

[21:21] answer for them is, but um as someone who goes down that road on a daily

[21:26] basis, that is a incredibly bad accident waiting to happen. Um the houses down

[21:33] there are just getting bigger and bigger. There's more and more traffic,

[21:37] more and more people using the boat ramp, um larger construction vehicles

[21:42] coming out all the time. And when you go to turn onto that road, it's not even

[21:46] wide enough a lot of times when you come face on with another car. But again, not

[21:52] an easy solution, but definitely something that is an accident and a bad

[21:57] accident waiting to happen.

[22:02] Thank you for that. Okay. And moving along, the select board

[22:09] will consider an update updating the following policies. community center

[22:13] facility use and remote meeting policy. >> Uh included in the packet is an updated

[22:19] uh community center/ facility use one. Um that was after legal review. Uh again

[22:26] it is the substance has not yet changed much but the uh some of the wording

[22:32] verbiage has uh again when they provided me um the updated they did not provide a

[22:38] redline version of what I presented just because there was multiple changes uh

[22:43] and when I got back from them I didn't have the opportunity to do a redline

[22:46] version of it. Uh so to me it's up to for the board on that one to determine

[22:49] whether they want uh myself or staff to come back with a redline version to say

[22:54] what the true differences are between what the original proposed uh uh policy

[22:59] was and what the one recommended by legal staff. Um this other one that was

[23:04] in the remote meeting pro is again I think they're talking about at the

[23:08] workshop. This will be a probably a continual one. Uh included in your

[23:12] packet is what MMA's model policy is. Um whether you want to tweak that and make

[23:17] that become the town's policy with some finer uh alterations that would be up to

[23:23] this point. And I've already tweaked it once. I ran

[23:28] it through AI four times today. But getting back to the community, I do

[23:35] have three questions. Um and one of them is a number thing and I'm big on

[23:41] numbers. um on the available spaces. >> I saw that same thing. Yes,

[23:46] » it goes community center entire space concentrated use capacity 211 mixed seat

[23:53] use seating capacity 270. That's the only one that mixed use is higher than

[24:00] the concentration >> and I added those numbers up and they

[24:04] just don't. So that's

[24:08] » 12. It should be 210. If all you add the gymnasium, kitchen, small and large

[24:13] meeting room, it's 210. >> Yeah.

[24:16] » So, >> but then again, if you do the

[24:18] concentrated people and you add up from the gymnasium all the way up through,

[24:21] it's it's over 400, I think. >> Well, if you're counting the 270

[24:26] » because the 75 it's 210. >> Yeah.

[24:30] » Which >> 345 350

[24:34] » like I said >> 427. redone.

[24:37] » Those could be redone. >> Yeah. Okay. And and I didn't I knew they

[24:41] could be redone. I just wanted to bring it to the attention.

[24:44] » Y >> um then

[24:48] scrolling down just a little bit more. Uh the required dep damage deposit of

[24:54] $50. I'm just wondering is that too low?

[25:01] because most everything in this building costs more than $50 and it got damaged.

[25:07] » You look at people.

[25:11] » Yeah. No, I I just No, I'm sitting here and I'm looking straight out. I'm not

[25:16] looking at you. I'm just >> What was this? What was the one that you

[25:20] just said before? >> $50.

[25:22] » Yeah, the require Yeah, the required damage deposit is a

[25:26] » is $50. I mean that is low I think right now for

[25:31] most of the building it's forest and it's not you know

[25:38] you're not banging around okay using something in the gym or having

[25:46] changed in the future but it's now coming

[25:52] » I just want to make sure that if we did have a situation that it wasn't going to

[25:55] affect your budget in any Okay. So, if you know if something really big went

[26:00] down, we just want to make sure that we're covering you

[26:04] » as well. I I agree it's low, but I'm I'm also a little worried about

[26:09] » accessibility and if we made it too high.

[26:12] » Again, I've got that same >> Yeah. So,

[26:15] » but I just want to make sure we balance that. I I will say Julie will say for

[26:20] one thing for sure, she's terrified now of the these padded chairs with

[26:25] frosting, red frosting getting ground into them.

[26:28] » So again, it's one of those >> but it's seriously that's how the

[26:32] examples she used. But again, it's one of those things where if there is

[26:36] excessive damage over the deposit, there are other avenues that the town could

[26:40] take if it so choose to see >> agreed. I I just wanted to bring it up

[26:45] because a $50 deposit is not in today's world is

[26:50] » when you buy a gallon more. >> Do you have a comment on this?

[26:53] » Tom McCarthy South Casco. So when uh organizations outside of the town uh

[27:01] that I've been in have used the facility and a 401c3

[27:08] uh if you go much more than $50 for a security deposit are going to go look

[27:15] elsewhere. So if we haven't had problems with damage then my suggestion would be

[27:21] to leave it at $50. >> That's fine.

[27:23] » That's fine. Like I said, I'm just bringing up things that

[27:27] Lord likes to me. And the last one, it's also in that same line was actually in

[27:34] town man. Um, town manager re review. Let's see. Next one. Required damage

[27:43] deposit. Um, why can't I find

[27:47] exactly what? Because what it says is the security deposit shall be collected

[27:52] for the facility shoes that requires a reservation.

[27:56] And again, I'm I'm being devil's advocate here.

[28:00] When you say requires a reservation, does that mean we need a security

[28:07] deposit? And I know the answer, but again,

[28:10] um for committee meetings because we have to reserve the the rooms,

[28:16] do we have to pay the deposit? Trust me, I'm just being

[28:21] » Yep. >> Yeah, you got to stand up. You got to

[28:25] say who you are. Who are you? >> Beth Lazy, recreation director. Um, I

[28:32] think that was more for somebody who scheduled a party again

[28:38] that you know we shut down the room or there was two or three people that

[28:41] wanted at the same time that there would be a consequence if they didn't didn't

[28:47] use it cuz we have had people in the past that will say they want to have a

[28:52] party and then then you know 10 minutes before it was supposed to start they

[28:55] call and say we don't need it. >> Right. And again, it's more just I want

[29:00] to make sure all our verbiage right so that someone can't take it out of

[29:03] context when they say, >> you know, how come what how come the

[29:08] CPIC doesn't have to pay its damage deposit every time they reserve the

[29:12] room? >> It is. Or water quality. We know how bad

[29:16] that is. >> Wait, that means I would have to pay

[29:21] too. >> Yeah,

[29:23] » I think we just need to put some verbiage in there,

[29:25] » right? saying that it's for private, you know, private res

[29:30] » and you know, that's the whole purpose of this review is to check over and see

[29:34] where we need to make changes and that's all I was bringing up.

[29:43] » So, I have one other comment, Bob, and I apologize. I didn't uh see the revised

[29:48] after it went through the attorney. Uh, does it still have in there the priority

[29:55] order of booking? >> Yes.

[29:57] » Yes. >> Okay. And once it's booked,

[30:01] then that group can't be bumped,

[30:08] » Tony. >> Because I think any anything can be

[30:12] bumped for depending on what the situation is.

[30:16] » And again, it comes down to the town private priority list. Yeah. which is is

[30:21] first obviously. >> So

[30:25] if an organization books a room 6 months ahead,

[30:32] validates that reservation a month ahead,

[30:38] 10 days ahead, they can be bumped for a non select board meeting.

[30:44] I don't think that's fair.

[30:48] And you're not going to get people to book the facility with those kind of

[30:54] rules.

[30:58] » Okay. >> I know the priority looking at the

[31:01] priority order is number one is town boards and committees, meetings, and

[31:05] functions. >> Right. Right.

[31:06] » So they're going to be at the top of the list anyway.

[31:08] » Correct. >> So

[31:11] the only way they could be bumped if there was a select board issue. Correct.

[31:15] Well, I'm going say if what you're hear is

[31:19] again, and I missed the first part, so I apologize for the if you're saying it's

[31:24] a non a non- town board, someone's renting it and they have an emergency

[31:30] aspect where they have to deal with the planning board or the site board,

[31:34] » they can get bumped even if it was 10 days before something along.

[31:37] » But I think Tom was and maybe I misunderstood you. You were talking

[31:40] about this being a town board. >> No, no. Okay. Sorry. Uh in in this case

[31:46] uh the lake association

[31:52] reserved the room in January, reverified it in May, and then were bumped 10 days

[31:59] ahead of time. We were accommodated over in the old

[32:04] bank or whatever that building was. I'll be honest, it was an embarrassment to

[32:09] have a meeting there and

[32:13] we should have a calendar that shows the bookings

[32:19] and once you book it and you've paid your deposit, you shouldn't be able to

[32:24] be bumped unless it's an emergency meeting of the select board.

[32:32] » Okay. Yeah, >> we like I say this obviously will not be

[32:37] approved tonight. Well, >> so so th those words I sent to uh Tony

[32:45] a couple weeks ago when this first came out. So, I'd appreciate if something

[32:50] along those lines could be incorporated.

[33:02] » Sam Brown, I'm Hill Road. Um, if I could ask a couple questions. Um, I don't see

[33:08] in the in the draft here it it it says there's a subheading it item G which

[33:14] lists fees, but I don't see anywhere else in the draft where fees are

[33:19] outlined. Did I miss it? Is it are they outlined in this?

[33:22] » It says says it should be the amount specified on the town fee schedule.

[33:27] » I see. So that's supplement. That's separate that's separate piece.

[33:31] » Yep. And um [clears throat] is the is the spirit of the program to try to

[33:37] promote more use of this facility by other groups and potentially drive re

[33:43] drive it as a revenue source. >> I I'll speak when I worked on this. This

[33:49] was not and my intention was not ever to make this a sole revenue source. It to

[33:55] me it's a community center. It's trying to develop the spirit of community

[34:00] trying to enhance use of of it. So, and trying to make it cost neutral

[34:04] associated with that as much as possible. And then along with that would

[34:08] be would there be um sort of an application that you know a an applicant

[34:14] would download and submit and for formally fill out and

[34:19] » um okay because I I do see the priority list um which is listed under

[34:26] uh provide email. So it's priority of use. It shows town boards, town

[34:31] departments, service groups, special events, special interest groups, and

[34:36] that's the priority list. Um because I the reason I'm asking is similar to Tom,

[34:40] you know, we host our open space meetings here and safe streets meetings.

[34:44] Um the uh um precedent currently whether it's right or wrong is generally I

[34:52] create a a calendar invite and invite Tony and Beth to it and assume that

[34:57] they're going to and Allison Griffin and then presume that because those meets

[35:03] are scheduled open space is third Monday and um uh St. is third Wednesday. So

[35:09] it's more of a reminder. Um, but I guess we would I would like to get some

[35:13] clarity around whether that will continue in that fashion or whether we

[35:16] it would be more formal. >> Again, I would much prefer a more formal

[35:21] process where you just fill it out. Again, it's one application do it for a

[35:25] year and that way it's on on the cat way.

[35:28] » Yeah. And then I agree with Tom like ideally there would be a calendar where

[35:32] and there is a calendar on the website but not all meetings are always are

[35:35] always posted. We're working I have multiple calendars

[35:39] with our new website which will hopefully alleviate some of that

[35:43] aspects. >> Great.

[35:45] » We're working at better communications. >> I know you are.

[35:49] » So we are >> okay.

[35:54] » So does anyone else have anything to >> I have a question on the on the damage

[36:00] deposit which is $50 >> and then [clears throat] it says fees.

[36:04] But if we if we have to do a cleanup after the event or whatever they're

[36:10] doing, would that be taken out of the deposit for for the damage fee? In other

[36:16] words, if Beth comes in, she has to have cleanup people come in and clean up that

[36:22] room where they leave it a mess. Will that money can we recoup that money from

[36:28] that $50? If you're saying beyond the traditional, you know, we're going to

[36:33] have a put the chairs out in like that. If they have to come in and do a

[36:37] scrubbing cleaning and something like that, that would come out of those fees.

[36:40] » Okay. Thank you.

[36:56] » Do we have any Sounds like this one's still in the

[37:00] works. >> Yeah, this one that both of them are

[37:05] still in the works. Okay, >> there's some good things in this sample

[37:10] policy from MMA. I just think there I think it's something that can be tweaked

[37:18] and what I'll do is I'll send the board my

[37:24] my AI report. >> Perfect. Okay,

[37:26] » I'd send it now, but I only have the one copy and I've already made notes on it.

[37:32] » But it basically took MMAs and just made it easier to understand.

[37:38] » I'm sure Joe, you understood it exactly as it was written.

[37:42] » It was definitely missing the nuances and we needed to make it our own.

[37:45] » Exactly. Exactly. Exactly. >> Uh Amy Brown don't know is this an

[37:51] appropriate time for an update on the meeting room?

[37:55] Yes, it would be. Yes, it would be. >> Okay, thank you.

[38:00] » Do we have an update on the meeting? >> Courtney Walsh, Johnson Hill Road.

[38:07] [clears throat] >> I would just like to submit my

[38:13] preference of AI usage for our town. And I

[38:18] understand that there's lots of new tools and everything,

[38:22] but I have a real concern with us just using chat GPT or whatever to create our

[38:31] documents. And I just want to make sure that we're reviewing them and fully

[38:37] and I just want you to remember the impact

[38:42] on the environment as well. Well, try I am the number one opponent to AI. I

[38:50] don't like it, but I did it. I had a few minutes this afternoon, so I But even

[38:55] then, I ran it through three times because I didn't like the way it was

[38:58] coming up. >> Yeah.

[38:59] » So, and then I sent it to Tony. >> Great. I just want to be careful if

[39:04] we're just creating everything through AI that

[39:09] » we're missing, right? >> We're kind of missing things. So,

[39:12] » yeah. >> Do we have an update on that?

[39:16] » No. >> No. Okay.

[39:18] » Um, and I'll ABL the board right now that policy.

[39:22] » So, he's going to >> Tonyy's going to email you my draft

[39:26] right now. >> We just need to remind ourselves this is

[39:28] a small community >> and the issues that come up with the use

[39:32] of this facility about it, it's it's about it being a small community. So if

[39:37] it's a snow day for the down the street, is it a snow day here or is it not? The

[39:44] pickle ballers come when it's snow, sleep, rain, uh hurricanes, they want to

[39:50] play pickle ball. Um and I'm I'm just I'm just talking like how how this

[39:54] facility works, right? We heard from them in the past about if it's closed

[39:58] down there, does it mean it's closed here? And we've been we've been uh I'd

[40:03] say Beth's been super flexible to make sure that this these doors stay open as

[40:08] much as possible. But that's the stuff we need to touch on this document, that

[40:12] small town stuff, just to make sure that it feels equal and feels the same for

[40:17] everybody. And um so that's the piece that we've got to

[40:23] kind of like focus on. on the simply stated that this this document will

[40:27] satisfy how we use the building, but we got to highlight a couple of those

[40:32] things that we've heard about in the last two to 5 years about the use of

[40:37] this facility. Those are the things that you just need to know, right? So, uh and

[40:41] it sets the groundwork for everybody see the document. This is how it works.

[40:46] » Yep.

[40:50] » Okay. So, we will scratch Moving on. I think we're at water

[40:57] quality.

[41:05] So, Tom McCarthy, South Casco. So, on April 2nd of 2025, we held the

[41:13] first water quality ad hoc committee meeting.

[41:18] In January of this year, we submitted the draft to the select board.

[41:25] We also had a peer review by LEA, Lakes of Maine, Lake Stewarts, Lake Smart, and

[41:34] Raymond Waterways. We also had review by the select board

[41:39] and the town staff. We have incorporated all of those comments.

[41:45] We then had Courtney do a phenomenal job doing the graphic arts and formatting.

[41:53] So I am very happy to say that the work of

[41:58] Sarah Ferry, Jim Arsham, Diane Cormier, Pam Edwards, Maggie Monarch,

[42:08] Levi Thornton, and Eileene Tid

[42:14] resulted in what I believe is a phenomenal document. We have gotten a

[42:20] lot of requests from people outside of Casco for copies of this document and I

[42:26] told them that soon as you approved it, we would get it to them. So, tonight

[42:31] we're requesting that the select board approve the water quality plan for the

[42:35] town of Casc. Any questions?

[42:39] » Anybody have a question? >> Yeah, I've got a a few. Um, so first

[42:45] off, I went through it. graphics fantastic. A lot of the

[42:50] content's great. Um, one of the things that I've realized when I started

[42:56] running for this seat was water quality is a major component of a concern area

[43:03] for a lot of the residents in this town and your committee is extremely

[43:07] important. Um, and I definitely think we have a good start to a water quality

[43:15] plan, but I'm concerned that there could be a little more opportunity for

[43:22] more of a detailed list of what the goals are and what the committee wants

[43:28] to accomplish. Some of the things that jumped out to me when I started going

[43:32] through the plan was um I saw the reference to the task the water quality

[43:37] ordinance task force. I think that's a great thing to include to have and focus

[43:44] on you know not only because it looked like it looked correct me if I'm wrong

[43:48] but it looked to me that a focus of the task force was to come up with

[43:52] ordinances that could be recommended for future application.

[43:56] » Yes. And I was also curious what we're doing

[44:00] and what we're planning to do as a committee

[44:04] to enforce the ordinances we have in place today as well.

[44:09] » So >> working with the CEO and how that

[44:12] relationship is developed. >> So we we were given some pretty

[44:17] straightforward guidance that this committee is not an enforcement

[44:21] organization. Uh what we do is we will review

[44:28] uh things from the planning board which we've already started and then we make a

[44:33] recommendation to the planning board and the CEO and the town manager

[44:39] and the next step on this plan and it's a living document. So as time goes on

[44:45] and we also didn't include lakes and streams in here

[44:49] » because we wanted to get it done focus on lakes

[44:53] » but the next step by the committee is to put together the water quality policy

[44:59] for the town and that will have more implementation type uh items in it.

[45:06] Okay, >> that you know the CEO will do XYZ and

[45:09] the select board will do this and the committee will do that. But the as far

[45:15] as the ordinances to uh

[45:20] put requirements in place at an ordinance level, that's where we said

[45:25] we're going to do the task force which will kind of like we did with the

[45:29] village. It will not just be the water quality committee looking at it because

[45:34] any ordinance that affects water is really going to be a zoning type

[45:39] ordinance which then absolutely requires the planning board and then the select

[45:44] board and then it's got to be taken to a town meeting. Uh

[45:49] so this this document is the top level plan

[45:54] that will live and grow and the next step is the policy for the

[45:57] implementation. >> Okay. And okay, so then with that in

[46:01] mind and you mentioned and I saw in here this didn't cover streams and rivers or

[46:07] anything like that yet. Um but I don't think I saw maybe this is part of the

[46:12] future plan anything about groundwater quality and

[46:18] » I think that's probably beyond our capabilities to uh get into. Uh I did go

[46:24] to the main lakes conference this year and talk to the state geologist

[46:31] uh and there was discussions about the aquifers and the capacity of the

[46:37] aquifers. They can predict sand and gravel

[46:41] aquifers but they have no clue of the capacity of

[46:45] a bedrock aquifer which is kind of scary seeing that a lot

[46:49] of Casco has bedrock aquifers. Mhm. >> So when we start looking in the planning

[46:55] board or even in the village zoning, we talk about growth and these kinds of

[47:00] things. How much water is there? >> Yeah.

[47:02] » And if we're sitting on bedrock, how much water can we pull out

[47:07] » and how much septic can go back in when you only have a couple feet of uh soil

[47:13] above bedrock. So, it is something the town needs to address, but it's going to

[47:20] be something that we're going to have to go to the state geologist to get

[47:24] knowledge. It It's not something that we could do at the water quality committee,

[47:27] although it's critically important. >> Okay.

[47:32] » Yeah. Because that's something that definitely worries me. I mean, we've had

[47:36] a couple of droughts in the recent years and that has impacted groundwater level

[47:42] as well as beyond just level and aquifer uh replenishment. Always also concerned

[47:48] about um contamination potentially from

[47:54] pesticide use or fungicides or whatever else somebody might be putting on their

[47:59] lawns. So, that's been another concern of mine. So, so one of the things in the

[48:03] plan is to uh coordinate with lake associations and

[48:09] do watershed surveys. So, that water a watershed survey will

[48:15] point out those types of things. Uh we've already kicked off the first

[48:19] watershed survey that uh is in coordination with Thomas Pond because

[48:26] somebody just happens to be on that board.

[48:29] And matter of fact, we got a meeting with DP on Monday to kick that off. So,

[48:35] uh, Thompson Lake has just finished theirs. I believe Crescent Lake has done

[48:41] one fairly recently also, but there's 18 watersheds in Casco.

[48:46] Most of them end up in Sebago, but about a third of them uh end up going east and

[48:52] north. Uh so a as we work through and we are

[48:57] working with the lake associations uh we've had good response with meetings

[49:01] with lake associations so it's going to be a coordinated effort with them uh

[49:06] watershed surveys are important and with that we can also uh we're working with

[49:11] open space and CPIC on as we go forward on looking at zoning uh for residential

[49:19] uh CPIC is has a subcommittee that's working to pull something together to

[49:24] bring to you guys in the very near future.

[49:27] » Okay. And this might be more of a question for you guys because I wasn't

[49:32] here when the water committee was charged, so it might just be me not

[49:37] having that information. Um, what is the long-term plan to look at uh

[49:47] enforcement from some of the things that could come from new if if a new code is

[49:52] recommended for example and then we were to vote on it, approve it, is that

[49:56] something we're going to just work through the CEO with to make sure it

[49:58] gets enforced and do we have some insight in how the water quality

[50:04] committee can work with the CEO in the future?

[50:08] what the legal has advised on that they should is to prevent them from being

[50:13] quasi legal aspect or authority. >> So no testing or anything,

[50:17] » you know, their aspect is if they're worried about um violations or the

[50:22] observations, it is then their role to report to D code enforcement and they'd

[50:27] be the enforcement mechanisms. >> Yeah. Absolutely.

[50:31] And the lake associations kind of like the idea that the town had a water

[50:36] quality committee. So when they have concerns, they can bring it to water

[50:40] quality committee who will then take it to the CEO and then they're not tattling

[50:45] on their neighbor and then you you get, you know, animosity on a lake and that's

[50:51] a [laughter]

[50:55] » Yeah. >> Any other questions?

[50:58] Uh I I just have one. It's kind of a big question, but um I was just wondering

[51:04] what criteria you use for the watersheds because I know it been discussed and

[51:09] that it is a very important part of this plan. I was just wondering what criteria

[51:15] you used in determining what was the watershed over.

[51:18] » So So the watersheds came from uh the state.

[51:22] » Okay. So th they are documented available online. Uh they're also in the

[51:29] plan. >> Yeah.

[51:31] » But uh we also uh a new tool that I'm working with uh a gentleman in my lake

[51:39] association is an AI tool to do storm water runoff.

[51:45] And we're already doing testing of that tool uh and have a very good correlation

[51:51] with the water level in Thomas Pond based on the rain. Uh it's an AI based

[51:58] tool that uses space sensors uh numerous databases

[52:04] uh and it can tell you how dry the ground is. It has elevation levels. it

[52:12] can do storm water flow runoffs and we'll be using that uh we're going to go

[52:18] over it with the D on Monday and see if she's interested in expanded use of that

[52:24] tool for doing watershed surveys. >> Awesome.

[52:27] » Good. Just you know it's just curious >> because I want to make sure our wersheds

[52:34] are protected and that we've got them all in there or

[52:38] » you got 18 of them. There's no piece of land in Casco that's not in a lake

[52:43] watershed.

[52:48] » So, just to jump in here again, and I appreciate the additional clarification

[52:52] cuz like I said, I wasn't here when the water was initially charged.

[52:57] » Um, >> I may have missed it. Let me know if

[53:00] it's if I missed it in here somewhere, but just um is there a general timeline

[53:05] for some of your goals and >> No, it's just left open.

[53:09] » No, it was left open. So, some we might be able to get to soon. Some of them uh

[53:14] are going to take longer. You know, you currently have seven people doing this

[53:21] work in concert with the town staff. I do believe we asked for nine at one of

[53:27] the meetings recently and I think you voted yes but I don't think it's been

[53:30] documented anywhere. So it as for approval of this plan if we could also

[53:36] add in to make the committee nine people I

[53:40] » I actually looked at past minutes and confirmed that when it was approved it

[53:46] was approved at nine. So it already it it is already mine as

[53:51] my understanding >> unless anybody disagrees.

[53:59] » Okay. >> Anything else, Joe?

[54:02] » Um

[54:05] I think w with the understanding that there's a more in-depth plan coming down

[54:09] the line, I feel better about what we have today knowing that it's kind of an

[54:15] outline document and it's a great place to start. I think it's a great document.

[54:20] I I always like concrete timelines, but I do too. Trust me,

[54:25] » I understand. Yep. So, you know, I appreciate the information. Thank you.

[54:29] » Yeah. Okay. Coming from the military to municipal government. Okay.

[54:36] » Okay. >> Um

[54:39] I read this policy a dozen times upside down

[54:44] everywhere around. And I think that and I was the select board representative to

[54:49] this group and I got a chance to to see them doing their work and I think it's a

[54:55] tremendous plan and I think we should just go ahead and approve it and let's

[55:00] let these guys move on to their next tasks. So, I'm going to make a motion

[55:04] that we go ahead and approve the water quality plan that's presented

[55:09] by the water quality committee and also to make sure that the committee is at

[55:14] nine members. >> Okay,

[55:17] » I'll second that. >> All right, so I have a motion and a

[55:20] second. Do I have any discussion? The only thing I'm going to add is that

[55:26] when open space came before us, we didn't we asked for a second reading on

[55:33] that >> before we've approved it and we have not

[55:35] yet approved it. Right. So, just trying to be fair.

[55:39] » So, so you've had two different readings,

[55:43] » right? >> Two different documents, two different

[55:54] I'm comfortable. >> Okay. If Okay. If you're all

[55:58] comfortable, I'm ready to go. All in favor?

[56:02] » 5.

[56:08] » Thank you. And with that, I got to get back to my grandkids

[56:12] before my wife takes me in.

[56:17] » Bob, thank you. >> Just a comment. This is this is great

[56:20] work by our community, right? This is this is a very clear proper step in this

[56:25] process. Um the more eyes the better we have when we're talking about water

[56:30] quality. That's what they told us, right? They want us to pay attention to

[56:33] it. The more eyes the better. So um if it's if it's uh this is step one or step

[56:40] three or four in the process, we just got to keep moving.

[56:44] » I I definitely agree. We got to keep moving.

[56:46] I just wanted I also wanted to this was done without a contractor support that

[56:52] this was all >> by the committee and then court

[56:57] polishing.

[57:00] » We appreciate your work, Tom. We really do.

[57:02] » Now we just need to keep the momentum going.

[57:04] » Absolutely. >> Yep.

[57:07] » Thank you. >> Thank you, Tom. Have a good night.

[57:10] » Now we will receive an update from the recreational department program and

[57:14] community center. Where was my 72 question?

[57:20] Nothing. >> Nice.

[57:24] Okay. So, I'm going to start out by telling

[57:28] everybody if you have little ones or anybody that's interested, uh, Thursday

[57:33] we have kite day up at Hackers Hill. Um, and it's, if you've been there before,

[57:37] it's a it's a great great atmosphere and all the kids get to have kites and

[57:43] they're free and Maggie from Loe Echo and myself and John Martin who brings

[57:48] the kites. Um, we have a blast and we watch them fly them and everything. So,

[57:53] that's Thursday at 10:00. So, I'll move on. Just give you some

[57:59] information of where we're at and what we're doing. Um, right now summer camp,

[58:03] we have an average of 20 kids that are there. They're having they're having a

[58:08] blast in the community center. Um, we're going tubing. We've gone um kaying.

[58:15] We're going to Bridton and do some stuff up there tomorrow. Um, we went to the

[58:23] Mad Science. We went to We've done all different kinds of things. It's a great

[58:28] group of kids and they're having a blast. So, that's going on here. Um,

[58:32] swim lessons, we had two two week sessions down at the at the beach here.

[58:39] It was about 80 participants. And then in the winter and spring, we have a

[58:45] spring two week and um a winter one. We had over six 60 we had 62 involved in

[58:52] that. And I would like to try to add another session um as soon as we can

[58:58] next year. We're one of the only towns that offers

[59:02] swim lessons in this area. Um, and it there's a there's a huge need for it. I

[59:07] personally think that every child should be able to swim for nothing. We live in

[59:12] all these lakes. We talk about water quality and everything else. And the

[59:15] kids that get in the water that don't know how to swim and it just it kind of

[59:18] just, you know, I think it's we're we're doing the right thing with all the

[59:22] lessons that we have. We just don't have enough instructors to keep it going. And

[59:27] um so that's something that we we're trying to work on. Um tennis lessons we

[59:32] had we had eight participants in that. Um and that's average of what we have.

[59:38] Again, we're the only town that you know has provides that for the community. So

[59:44] that's kind of neat. Um, the one thing that that I will talk a little bit about

[59:50] because all of you that know me know that I love kids, but I love love love

[59:55] the seniors and I try to do as much as I can for them. A lot of times recreation

[59:59] departments, they think of kids and adults, but they kind of don't think

[1:00:03] about the seniors. We currently have a Monday morning or Monday Monday lunch

[1:00:09] here. Um, Linda Allen and Jan McGrath are the ones that cook it. Um, we have

[1:00:15] probably around 40 people that are using it now. They come in, they play tribage,

[1:00:21] they play cards, they talk to each other, they have they have lunch, and

[1:00:25] then and then they leave later. Um, I have been in touch with um Southern

[1:00:30] Maine MA agency on aging. Talked to them last week. We are going

[1:00:35] to be doing one day a week that they will take over and do it all. They'll

[1:00:40] come here. um we will take um people that that have parents that they're

[1:00:46] taking care of that would like to get away for the day or anything like that.

[1:00:50] They're going to come down here. They'll have six people. They'll take care of

[1:00:54] the person that's here while the family goes shopping or does whatever they

[1:00:57] want. Um and it'll be like a three-hour 3-hour thing that will happen. The other

[1:01:03] thing that we're doing is we're getting a second lunchon through them. Um, and

[1:01:08] they again will come down and they'll get everything set up. All we have to do

[1:01:12] is pick the restaurant in the area that we want to provide the food and they

[1:01:16] will pay for it all. So, this is all free and it's some some really cool

[1:01:20] stuff that we're doing for our seniors. So, that's that's something that they

[1:01:23] they'll have three days a week which is really good. Um,

[1:01:28] we are two spots open for Cabbage Island. We're

[1:01:32] going there on the 18th. So, looking forward to that. Um things that we

[1:01:37] offer, we're going to be offering is is field hockey, basketball, softball,

[1:01:42] baseball, run club, karate. Um we're coming back with chess and cribage for

[1:01:48] the kids here after school. Um right now we have Amy might be able to tell me if

[1:01:55] it's it's more, but right now we have pickle ball. We have nine sessions plus

[1:01:59] three at Crooked River. Um, I think we're probably up from that, right, with

[1:02:03] Libby Park and everything else. But, um, that's all. If you if you like the the

[1:02:08] sound of pickle balls, just come sit at my office and have

[1:02:13] coffee some morning. The funny part about it is I live in

[1:02:17] front of Lon Haven in Naples and they have pickle ball courts right outside of

[1:02:21] my backyard. So, I don't even it doesn't even bother me anymore. Um, so, uh, we

[1:02:27] we currently have yoga two times a week, Saturdays and Thursdays. We are coming

[1:02:32] back this year, Friday nights with the teen center here. We're going to have it

[1:02:38] open for for kids to I mean, I think your kids invol were involved in that a

[1:02:42] long time ago. So, we're going to bring it back and it's going to be really fun

[1:02:44] for kids to go in different rooms and have different things to just hang out

[1:02:48] with their friends and family can drop them off and they can go have dinner

[1:02:52] someplace and it's nice. Um, right now because of camp we don't have playg

[1:02:57] group but that's coming back. We have all kinds of toys and jumpy houses and

[1:03:03] all that stuff that we put in the gymnasium. And we probably have, I don't

[1:03:07] know, between 15 and 20 kids that come in here and and utilize the space, play

[1:03:12] music and and everything like that. And the parents like it too. Um, adult

[1:03:18] basketball, we have Monday, Wednesdays, menly men's league on Sundays, and

[1:03:22] signups for that are coming up now. Um, we have adult volleyball in the

[1:03:27] community center. um holiday celebrations, Easter, Christmas,

[1:03:31] Halloween. Um and then we have the quilters and veterans committee that

[1:03:37] come in here. Um there are five committees that meet in the community

[1:03:42] center as well as the planning boards uh zoning board of appeals and the

[1:03:47] select board. Um and we have many requests for birthday parties and other

[1:03:52] family gatherings. So that's pretty much what we're doing right now. So,

[1:03:58] any questions or >> Wow.

[1:04:02] » That's all. >> Come on. There's got to be a little room

[1:04:06] for something. >> Beth, I think you know

[1:04:09] » I can I say one thing while while we're while we're talking is what going back

[1:04:14] to what Grant said, um I think it's I and I don't really honestly I don't want

[1:04:19] to say this, but I don't know where we ended up. I think that when we have snow

[1:04:24] days and stuff like that, obviously not when it's dangerous to be to be out

[1:04:28] riding, but I think that it's really good for pickle ballers or kids that,

[1:04:32] you know, have a snow day or whatever to be able to come down here and and and be

[1:04:37] able to use obviously with a parent or with somebody and be able to use the

[1:04:41] community center um even though the other spots are are closed. So, sorry.

[1:04:47] » So, good. >> So, go ahead. I think you and I have

[1:04:50] talked long enough and you know how special I think you are, but I don't

[1:04:54] think the town's people realize just exactly what we have in Casper for a

[1:04:58] recreation program. >> Thank you.

[1:05:00] » Just just the swimming lessons alone tells how much that our recck department

[1:05:06] cares about our kids and with all the opportunities that our kids are being

[1:05:10] given right now. if it wasn't for those opportunities and I saw it firsthand

[1:05:14] having two young boys who went through everything in the wreck program and that

[1:05:19] makes those that molds those kids into what they are today. You know the

[1:05:23] coaches the volunteer coaches who are absolutely fantastic.

[1:05:27] » Couldn't do that. >> My my boys were fortunate enough to grow

[1:05:30] up in the Brian Crockett and Jerry Simpson days

[1:05:34] » and and because of that they're who they are today. So if you don't realize to

[1:05:41] the town's people, if you don't realize what we have for a wreck program, look

[1:05:44] into it, you'll thank you'll thank everybody

[1:05:48] later for looking at it. Your kids will thank you for looking at it because it's

[1:05:51] an absolutely amazing program. >> And I do want to while while we're

[1:05:55] talking about that, I do want to to everybody to know that my door is always

[1:05:59] open. I never shut it unless I'm it's something that I have to do. Anybody is

[1:06:04] welcome to go. I have kids that come in and, you know, want just want to talk or

[1:06:09] whatever and and seniors. So, anybody that just wants to come down and chat, I

[1:06:13] love that. >> Am I good?

[1:06:16] » Thanks for all that you do. >> Yes.

[1:06:18] » Okay, good.

[1:06:24] » Courtney Walsh, Johnson Hill. Um, Beth, I just wanted to suggest my family in

[1:06:31] particular would love an open gym situation. I don't know logistically how

[1:06:35] that works, but I do feel the desire from, you know, I have a 12-year-old to

[1:06:40] like just come down and play. And I'm sure you would say yes, but I think

[1:06:45] having something more formal on the calendar might be a great idea. Anyways,

[1:06:51] nice work. >> Thank you.

[1:06:55] » Okay, moving along. This board will discuss the September 26th community

[1:07:01] event.

[1:07:07] You think the girl? Let's go.

[1:07:12] » She doesn't need any help. >> Been ganging up on.

[1:07:15] » Yeah. >> Uh hi. Um

[1:07:21] we have taken the ball and Oh, >> we're here.

[1:07:26] » Oh, wonderful. Um, I've got Janet and Pam here and we are taking on the first

[1:07:32] ever uh Casco Community Fest. That's what we're calling it. Um, we have

[1:07:37] confirmed that the last Saturday in September is going to be from 3 to 6 at

[1:07:44] the Casco Community Park. Um, one of our largest incentives to do this

[1:07:52] is coming directly from the comprehensive plan. um to engage more

[1:07:59] with the community and to call in more volunteerism.

[1:08:04] Did I get that right? >> So far so great.

[1:08:07] » Um so leading with that um I believe that if we are to call more people in to

[1:08:14] serve our town um we have to give them a reason to gather and fun and joy is

[1:08:20] always important. um through the work I did with the branding project um

[1:08:25] interviewing people around town um there was a common thread that people want

[1:08:32] Casco to be more than just Casco days and I think that this is a really

[1:08:36] exciting step in that direction. Um the main component

[1:08:42] that we are um kind of focusing on is the meet and greet and we are asking

[1:08:49] that all departments, committees and clubs in town have a presence have a

[1:08:58] table presence and um I am going to be creating a passport of

[1:09:05] sorts and every every table's is going to have a stamp and we're going to be um

[1:09:12] I think I think making a sticker pack from the new branding as a reward for

[1:09:16] stopping at all the um tables. We're still working that out, but some sort of

[1:09:22] version of that to incentivize people um for the meet and greet. Um besides that,

[1:09:29] we have hired a DJ, a local DJ to Casco um Joe Lurman. Um, we uh got approved to

[1:09:39] use the snack shack or the concession stand. Um, we are going to have some

[1:09:45] sort of food option. We are currently trying to sus out if there's any food

[1:09:50] trucks that are available on such short notice on such a small budget. Um, TBD

[1:09:55] on that. Um, we since we're doing it at the community park, there is the

[1:10:00] playground for younger children and we're hopefully going to be doing a mini

[1:10:05] touch a truck which is like where kids can climb in the trucks and stuff. I' I

[1:10:11] spoke to Chief. He says that he would be on board for participating. Um, let's

[1:10:18] see what else. Um, I'm hopeful that Oh, the library is going to do a story walk

[1:10:24] on the trail where the um spooky trail is in the fall. The other clubs that are

[1:10:31] going to be >> Oh, sure. The clubs that we are inviting

[1:10:35] to participate include um uh the snowmobile club, the ATV club,

[1:10:43] Lunco Land Trust, um the Run Club. Were they on our list?

[1:10:51] » And we are >> the and the historical society.

[1:10:57] » I is connect with cast. >> Okay.

[1:11:01] » Okay. Great. Um,

[1:11:06] I'm I'm looking to do some sort of community engagement activity. I would

[1:11:11] love to have a cornhole tournament. Um, and with early signups and, you know,

[1:11:18] encouraging teams and silliness and fun and joy. Um, but we are working very

[1:11:24] hard. We're meeting every week to move this down the field and um it's coming

[1:11:31] up fast. So, do you have questions?

[1:11:38] No. I think it's a great idea to get the community involved in any way possible

[1:11:42] and to find ways to get get them out of their comfort zone and get them to see

[1:11:48] other people in the community so that they can work can learn and you

[1:11:53] know learn who your neighbor is. >> Yeah. Oh, speaking of we're going to

[1:11:57] have name tags which I'm quite excited about.

[1:12:01] [laughter]

[1:12:04] Um, >> no, I think uh being involved in the

[1:12:07] Halloween event that happens there, I know that's a a heavy hitter, but

[1:12:10] parking does >> sort of

[1:12:13] could potentially be problematic. So, I would say uh do anything you can to

[1:12:19] notify the neighbors and talk to the neighbors about an overflow idea. Um,

[1:12:24] for the Halloween vent event, Beth does a nice job notifying the neighborhood

[1:12:29] and they allow us some overflow parking for the volunteers down the edge of that

[1:12:34] road, but just use one side of the road. So, um, I think that's just good.

[1:12:40] » Yeah, we actually to consider. >> Thank you. We actually have a plan to do

[1:12:46] auxiliary parking on the Berry property and shuttling

[1:12:49] » over um Good. Good job telling people that.

[1:12:55] » Yeah, that's good. Um,

[1:12:59] Beth, I will talk to talk to you just if you want to pass any wisdom down from

[1:13:04] doing an event there anymore. Did you have a question?

[1:13:13] » I Sam Brown Pine Hill Road. I just want to comment that um you know we having

[1:13:18] participated in municipal effort to create better engagement over the last

[1:13:23] several years. Uh I think the town should take a bow for the three

[1:13:27] significant engagement events that are on our calendar here in the in the next

[1:13:31] 6 weeks. Uh Wednesday next week we have the Webs Mills uh engagement event

[1:13:36] that's happening right in Webs Mills regarding the the four-way and safe

[1:13:39] streets and GP COG. Um September 15th we have the village partnership or rather

[1:13:45] the village district work that's happening here on your select board

[1:13:48] meeting and then this will be the sort of third event that's coming up um

[1:13:52] really all in the next six weeks. Um I was commenting to the comp plan

[1:13:55] implementation committee on Thursday last week that I don't think currently

[1:14:00] it's easy for someone who doesn't know about it to go to the website and find

[1:14:04] out about all three of these things. Um, so I would ask that uh the town manager

[1:14:09] and the uh communications director consider as you work on the the calendar

[1:14:14] itself someplace where it just says, "Hey, look at all these great community

[1:14:18] engagement events that are happening. Please come out and join us cuz I think

[1:14:22] this is a great great event and well, I'll be there to support it."

[1:14:26] » Thank you. >> Um, something else to mention, we're

[1:14:30] working with Allison. she is our member from the town. Um the save the date is

[1:14:38] going to go out tomorrow. So if any of you are on social and want to push that

[1:14:42] further that would be great. Um and the last time we spoke we were looking for a

[1:14:49] liaison from the select board. So we are still open

[1:14:54] and looking for that.

[1:14:57] » What do you mean? [laughter] Yeah, that that's my problem.

[1:15:02] » That what are your meeting? >> Um, right now we're meeting at a time

[1:15:07] that Joe can't come, but we are happy to change it,

[1:15:09] » which would be my problem also. >> Yeah,

[1:15:11] » Thursdays at at 300 p.m. is what we're doing now.

[1:15:14] » Yeah, Thursday is my worst day cuz I have meetings until 5:30.

[1:15:20] » We're willing to change to have one of you um involved.

[1:15:24] » More than happy to do that. >> Joe was raising his hand while I grabbed

[1:15:28] his arm. Oh yeah, everybody's aware. >> I saw the muscle radius level.

[1:15:34] » We accept Joe. We accept you. >> Can we push the meeting back?

[1:15:39] » Maybe. >> Yes. Yes. Yes.

[1:15:40] » That would probably work better. >> Yeah, I think we're pretty flexible.

[1:15:44] » Yeah, it would have to be, you know, again,

[1:15:47] » I'll send out an email. >> Okay. really excited about this and I

[1:15:51] think it is a fantastic thing and I'm really excited to keep hearing more as

[1:15:55] you guys go along >> and we would also like the select board

[1:16:00] to have uh a table there as well. >> Sure, we'll be there.

[1:16:06] » We'll make up a cornhole team this morning.

[1:16:10] » I just want to reemphasize that really the the main purpose of this was to do

[1:16:14] the meet and greet piece. And so you mentioned earlier how it's too bad

[1:16:18] people didn't know about the wreck. Well, wreck would have a table. Our hope

[1:16:21] is that wreck has a table. >> And so they would present themselves and

[1:16:25] this is really just let our community know what the town is doing with their

[1:16:30] select boards, their committees, everything that's going on. And that

[1:16:34] component of coming together as a community is is the draw, the fun part

[1:16:39] of it. So yeah, >> and I agree. If you see it come out on

[1:16:43] your social media tomorrow to save the day, please everybody share it as much

[1:16:47] as we can. >> And anyone who wants to volunteer,

[1:16:50] please come our way. I mean, I'm assuming everybody else is on a board

[1:16:53] because we all are on lots of different things, but

[1:16:56] » and then Tommy.

[1:16:59] » Yes, Tony will be there. >> I've already committed to it.

[1:17:03] » Nice job. >> The first one we uh we signed up Tony

[1:17:09] Tony's going to do the dunk tank. talk.

[1:17:12] » Oh, I can get one over here. >> Also, Tony's been coming to our meetings

[1:17:18] as well. >> The one thing I would say is please

[1:17:22] share as much information you can. This is a an extremely aggressive timeline. 6

[1:17:27] and 1/2 weeks from now is when this event's going to happen. Um, so it's

[1:17:31] going to be all about marketing and putting it out there as much as possible

[1:17:35] » so we can

[1:17:39] » Good stuff. Yeah. Thank you very much. >> Thanks.

[1:17:42] » Thank you.

[1:17:47] » All right. The select board will consider a liquor license renewal from

[1:17:50] Mikey Fudge. Uh including your packet is the request

[1:17:54] for a renewal from liquor license from my just again it sounds like a broken

[1:17:59] record of what we've done with most of our businesses. I have not received any

[1:18:04] complaints regarding operations of the lodge or the restaurant. uh no known

[1:18:08] violations through uh Bureau of Liquor. Uh they've been a uh positive neighbor

[1:18:13] to their um to their community. Uh staff and I through our view would recommend

[1:18:19] that the select board approved the application to be forward to the state

[1:18:23] of Maine Bureau of Alcohol Beverages and Lottery Operations who is ultimately

[1:18:26] responsible for the final approval.

[1:18:32] Any questions? Do I have a motion? I move the select

[1:18:35] board approve the liquor license renewal for Micas Lodge and have the application

[1:18:39] forwarded to the state of Maine. >> One second. All in favor? Five and0.

[1:18:46] All right. Then the fun the most fun one for the night. The select board will

[1:18:52] discuss the preliminary tax commitment for 2027.

[1:18:56] » And this is the preliminary one cuz there is a little bit of work. And

[1:19:00] ultimately what's the good part is when we talked about this uh tax commitment

[1:19:05] is ultimately the job of the assessor. >> Um what ends up coming down with the

[1:19:10] select board typically will have his input on the overlay which does affect

[1:19:14] um the mill rate. Uh in your packet you see a tax rate calculation form um that

[1:19:20] was completed by our CL county regional assessing. Uh based on the current

[1:19:25] valuation and budget information, the town can anticipate a mill rate increase

[1:19:29] of 76 um which would put the mill rate to $11

[1:19:34] per thousand of assessed value. This represents a 7.4% increase over the

[1:19:40] current mill rate of 10.25. Um everyone literally want typically

[1:19:46] want to say how does this affect the average homeowner? Um, when you look at

[1:19:50] this calculation, uh, the minimum overlay is $48,749.

[1:19:58] That is slightly less than this year's overlay and we used all of this year's

[1:20:02] overlay. Um, but I the assessor and I feel very comfortable that would give us

[1:20:08] the protections we need through um the process. Again, if you're not familiar

[1:20:13] with main law, if we need more overlay, um for this after commitment, um

[1:20:18] unassigned funds can be used um under main law. Um what is what ends up coming

[1:20:25] down to uh the overall aspect um when you start looking at this is the average

[1:20:33] and again the average homeowner um would see an increase of $35,129.

[1:20:42] That's if they did not have a homestead exemption. If they had a homestead

[1:20:45] exemption, uh that would be a $3329 increase. With that being said, that's

[1:20:52] just the average house. You're going to have some who receive less obviously,

[1:20:56] but the average house you're looking is in the 380 range. So, if you're having a

[1:21:01] 7 or $800,000, you're you're looking at I'll say a $700,000, you could look at a

[1:21:06] a double increase of what I just quoted. So it varies by prop property by

[1:21:11] property. So this is a is a significant hit and we'll uh we have to be aware of

[1:21:19] the aspect from when I say we staff that we've been reported um what we're going

[1:21:23] to have for abatements this year cuz that is uh an increase.

[1:21:28] » Yes. >> Tony, I was curious on the business uh

[1:21:34] equipment tax exemption. I saw a lot of the numbers listed out in here. Do we

[1:21:39] have anything to do with that from the town level or is that all like state

[1:21:43] IRS? >> Betty, is that comes down from the state

[1:21:45] level? >> Okay. So, there's nothing we can

[1:21:47] » Right. Okay. Right. >> Got it.

[1:21:49] » And when you deal with personal property and again I getting into the weeds on

[1:21:53] this one. Um, a lot of that is self-reporting. It's not going out

[1:21:57] having an assessor look at it. It's business is self-reporting. or is the

[1:22:02] assessment supposed to be done at can that be done at a town level or is that

[1:22:06] something that gets done at all or >> um the vast majority of towns you do

[1:22:10] that formatting just cuz they don't have the staffing capacity to go and do the

[1:22:14] assessments. >> Okay.

[1:22:17] » Cities like I'll say Portland does do it but they also have a substantial staff

[1:22:21] that is available to do it. >> They can do it. Okay.

[1:22:25] Again, this is no action needed by the board, but it is one of those before we

[1:22:30] do get forward. Um, unless you want us to increase the overlay, which I don't

[1:22:36] think would be the aspect for the board. Um, what you'll find out is again,

[1:22:44] if you said zero overlay, you would only decrease the bill rate by three cents.

[1:22:48] » Yeah. So, and again at which point then you would still have some you would have

[1:22:54] to go for undersigned funds and that's not probably the

[1:22:57] » when you look at the largest portion of an overlay again I would never re it's

[1:23:02] in the $700,000 range that state standards where they can

[1:23:06] where they can fall between. Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you.

[1:23:16] Slackboard comments.

[1:23:20] » Do I get to go first? >> Yep.

[1:23:22] » Awesome. >> You're at that end of the table.

[1:23:24] » Um >> yeah. Uh just a couple things. So

[1:23:29] earlier Tony, um I I'd like some clarification on how how to how to

[1:23:35] handle the manager's report or manager's update. I don't I I don't at the last

[1:23:42] meeting I was like, should I do I ask questions now? Do I wait for select

[1:23:45] board comments? Do you know what I mean? I I don't know how to how to do that.

[1:23:49] So, um and one of the one of the triggers for that was the acco control

[1:23:54] officer conversation. You know, that that uh idea of Sam's for agenda item is

[1:24:00] exactly where that needs to land. Um but um I just want to know, you know, the

[1:24:05] appropriate process to handle the manager's update um as a select board

[1:24:10] member. And then um just a couple follow-up things on so um and we'll

[1:24:16] receive I'm just looking for timing. We'll receive the RFPs for the roof on

[1:24:22] this facility and does it include Brown A and anyway um but those are due like

[1:24:28] the 13th of August. So we'll be making that decision at our meeting just after

[1:24:34] that. >> Correct. Okay. Um, and then I'm more

[1:24:39] concerned about the sand and salt shed because we're backing ourselves into a

[1:24:43] corner on that project for sure with the timing. Um, and is it is it worst case

[1:24:51] scenario that that project doesn't happen before the sand has to go in? I

[1:24:56] mean, I just just want to talk it through so we we have the conversation

[1:25:00] today instead of when we know it's happening. The RFP says the project will

[1:25:05] be done by August, excuse me, October 15th. Okay, that that is a very again if

[1:25:10] the select board decides with the award you want to postpone it to the spring

[1:25:14] when I'm using an example, you have the authority if the contractor is willing

[1:25:18] to agree to that. I just I feel like we're what and just I

[1:25:24] just want to have the conversation guys. When we when you give them zero timing

[1:25:28] that gives us zero control over the idea of the cost of it, right? Like it it

[1:25:33] really fats us into a corner. We end up seeming like we're a little desperate to

[1:25:37] get it done and that's just a tough place to be in the construction world.

[1:25:42] So I just want to just have that conversation out loud. That's all.

[1:25:46] And again, I think to answer your question, Grant, Rob, if you don't mind,

[1:25:52] » no, not at all. >> The managers um uh on my notes, this to

[1:25:57] me, it's not intended to be a dialogue. It's it's meant to be anformational

[1:26:00] aspect. It's like here's what's going on so you're aware of it. Um again, it's

[1:26:04] one of those if you want it something as an agenda item, uh that should be that.

[1:26:08] Again, simple questions are easy, but I don't think it's fair to the public if

[1:26:12] we're going to have an extensive dialogue about that. No, that's that's

[1:26:16] why I was bringing it up, Tony, to be honest, cuz I I think that we can also

[1:26:21] uh as as that information is uh coming in front of us in the packet,

[1:26:27] » like uh you know, maybe there's a heads up, maybe there can be a a preheads up

[1:26:31] that this maybe needs to be adjusted, but I don't want to sabotage it that way

[1:26:35] either. And I certainly don't want to I don't want to get the public thinking

[1:26:38] that there, you know what I mean? like that Jason an awful lot happens in that

[1:26:42] manager's report that doesn't if you don't go looking for it you don't if you

[1:26:46] don't go looking for it in the packet it doesn't show up on our agenda you know

[1:26:50] what I mean like those items don't show up on this piece of paper so it's it's

[1:26:54] difficult I don't want to dive in too deep on those for purposely as well

[1:26:58] because it doesn't feel like they've been given enough notice about those

[1:27:01] conversations so I just want to make sure we're doing it right that's all

[1:27:05] » and the one thing that with the when the RFP comes in for Um, excuse me. The sand

[1:27:11] and salt said if you're really concerned timelines in aspect you can not refuse

[1:27:17] to accept it. I mean and >> yeah and that just and just let's talk

[1:27:20] about that a little bit because that just means that that building has a

[1:27:22] little bit less capacity >> and we just have to refill it more

[1:27:26] frequently as the winter goes along, >> right?

[1:27:29] » Yep. >> Okay.

[1:27:34] I think Grant kind of touched on it, but I just wanted to make sure that the

[1:27:37] animal control is updated on at the next meeting.

[1:27:44] » Yeah, >> I'm good. Thank you.

[1:27:48] » Tony, any updates on the forestry truck as of yet?

[1:27:52] » Uh, we have not got any estimates yet, but that is um we've contacted uh

[1:27:58] Greenwood to see if they could I think it's Greenwood. And don't quote me on

[1:28:02] that, but let's see if they could assist us on that paying.

[1:28:07] » Okay. [clears throat] >> All right. Then I've just got one

[1:28:10] question for you or request. Um seeing as we've just finished the first month

[1:28:17] of the new fiscal new fiscal year, could we make sure that um financials are out

[1:28:22] by the 15th or

[1:28:27] » Yeah. >> Yes. just and getting it make sure it

[1:28:31] gets to the finance committee also. >> All right,

[1:28:36] that's was my only request for tonight. Just like that.

[1:28:41] » And now we got one more item to go.

[1:28:46] I move the select board go into executive session per title 25 part 5

[1:28:51] chapter 252 section 2006 to discuss concealed weapons permit application

[1:28:57] 0804 2026A and 08042026B

[1:29:04] second. All in favor and O. We are in executive session.

Selectboard Meeting August 4, 2026

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