By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

CASCO— It was more than 20 years ago that the last comprehensive plan document was done in Casco.

“I am so pleased. I am just ecstatic for this to finally be taking place after two decades. The last one was 2003,” said Mary-Vienessa Fernandes, the chair of the Casco Board of Selectmen.

Three of the four selectmen were present during Saturday’s workshops that were planned as part of the Casco comprehensive plan process. 

Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG), which was awarded the job last year, led the activities that were part of Casco Planning Days, from April 28 through Monday night. 

After the community check-in on Saturday night, the board members commented on the progress so far.

“The turnout — the turnout was just phenomenal. I’m just so pleased with our key committee members,” Fernandes said. 

Roberts “Bob” MacDonald said that it was standing room only during the kickoff event last Thursday. Lots of residents showed interest in Casco’s future by showing up, he said.

“It went very smoothly. I think GPCOG did a great job. They have been very attentive to what we were asking them for. They spent a lot of time guiding and giving us ideas,” MacDonald said. “They are working with us and not telling us what to do.”

Fernandes agreed that the planning team with GPCOG was designing options for the future based on the ideas from the public in Casco. 

MacDonald said the people who participated did represent a wide swath of the community.   

“The turnout has been great. It is nice to have the same people who’ve been here throughout. We have had new people, new families here. It goes across the whole gamut of people — young and old,” MacDonald said 

Selectman Eugene Connolly 

“It has been very educational for me,” he began. “I am glad to see that younger people are coming. Younger people are beginning to move into the area. They have a voice. We are just letting them know they have a voice and we want to hear it.”

“I am finding also that the elders and the younger people want to work together. And, they want the town to grow and now, they have a say how it grows. This is good for them,” Connolly said. 

Going forward, with the suggestions offered by GPCOG, the board can begin to implement some of the brainstorming that occurred. 

“We have a lot of ideas that we are going to work on,” he said.