By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

CASCO— Locally elected officials learned more about a state-wide grant program that would help towns to prepare for climate change.

On the same evening that Casco’s Special Town Meeting was held, the second meeting about Climate Resiliency Grants took place.

The Center of an Ecology-Based Economy (CEBE) has partnered with the Town of Casco to enroll the municipality in the grant program and to define what measures the town wants to take to combat or to prepare for climate change.

Some of the selectmen weighed in on the discussion that took place early last week.

Chairman Robert MacDonald reacted to the presentation. 

“I felt that the presentation by CEBE was very thought-provoking. For me, it raised concerns for our natural resources. I feel that we need to do whatever we can to preserve these resources, and to provide ways that the citizens of Casco can enjoy both now and in the future,” MacDonald said.

He had his eye on three categories in which using grant money is permissible.

“I would encourage us to seek grants for the following areas: 1. Develop a natural resource and habitat inventory that includes climate stressors and impacts. I feel that we need to know what resources and habitats we currently have and develop a plan to protect it for the future; 2. Adopt a Complete Streets Policy which addresses safety, bike/pedestrian uses, and transit,” MacDonald said.

“If COVID has taught us nothing, it is that our citizens enjoy being outdoors and we need to make sure that they can safely enjoy the outdoors,” he said.

The third objective that MacDonald liked from the List of Community Actions was to “engage youth in resilience, clean energy and energy use reductions,” he said.  

“We need to engage our youths in thinking and planning about the resources that we have, and having them buy into what we are doing so that they will be excited about carrying the efforts forward,” he said.

Board member Mary-Vienessa Fernandes commented on what stood out in her mind after looking at the list of community actions.

“This is somewhat labor intensive. What would be needed is a director of community planning. It is arduous just getting started,” she said.

In addition to deciding which community actions to do first and applying for the grant, the town is wrapping up its comprehensive plan, she said. 

“There are so many opportunities and grants that are available. MDOT is fine-tuning its partnership with communities and putting in sidewalks because of the high rate of fatalities with vehicles and bicycles. It seems to keep climbing. It seems to me that everyone is driving faster and faster,” she said.

For those reasons, Fernandes like the idea of implementing a Complete Streets Policy and providing safer spaces along the roadway for pedestrians and cyclists. Fernandes has always been an outspoken advocate for bringing public transportation to the rural towns such as Casco.

Also, she like the idea of involving younger people in the community. This was on the community action list under Strategy H: Engage Maine People. This includes public awareness campaigns, engaging youth in clean energy education and energy use reduction. Likewise, it’s important to get senior citizens involved, too, Fernandes said, adding that Maine has biggest aging population in the nation.

A lot of information was provided during the CEBE presentation, and Fernandes said she looks forward to reviewing the paperwork and discussing the options with fellow board members next week.

“No one person can do this. We need to hear from more of the townspeople. They were there [at the Jan. 24 meeting]. The ones who were there were quite involved,” she said. “But we need more input.”

Both Selectman Scott Avery and Casco Town Manager Anthony Ward commented that the public engagement was promising. Both said it was too early to narrow down what the first grant might address.

“I was very excited to see the interest from citizens and I am very happy with the knowledge they share and how willing they are to assist us,” Selectman Avery said.

“As far as the first grant, we as a board have not discussed that as of yet, but it will be discussed at a regular board meeting,” he said.

Ward thought CEBE’s presentation had a decent turnout of people who were interested.

“The community supports the town’s efforts with resiliency and understands that multiple options are available to the town,” he said.

“It’s too premature to determine what the grant will be applied towards,” Ward said. “I would be premature to speak before the select board makes a decision on the grant application,”