By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

CASCO — An almost four-hour-long planning board meeting at the beginning of the month led to the discussion by mid-month about how to better support the planning board in its endeavors.

One avenue could be a town planner.

Actually, a planner might be placed in the category of a necessity, especially as the Town of Casco moves into the next phases of the comprehensive plan.

“We need to set up the planning board and the [future] comp plan implementation committee for success. The undertaking for the comp plan is very time-consuming and challenging. At our current staff level, we cannot assist,” Casco Town Manager Anthony “Tony” Ward said. “Some type of planner needs to be involved to guide both these groups. Once the comp plan is approved, we will start implementing it. We don’t want to overwhelm the planning board. Having a planner in that aspect is going to be critical.”

He was speaking to the Casco Board of Selectmen during its meeting on Tuesday. Ward laid out the options.

“We have three options for a dialogue: 1.) Hire full-time for now but not for more than short-term, or it would go to part time at some point. 2.) Reach out to another town and share planner services. 3. Contract for planning services,” Ward said.

It was decided that the board would move forward by hearing a presentation from a person who is/has been a professional planner for municipalities. The town manager will contact the person. The board is scheduled to meet on Nov. 7, but may opt to postpone because of Election Day. The date of the next meeting will be listed on the town’s website. 

The topic on Tuesday’s agenda ended up there after Selectman Plummer brought up the need for some solution two weeks earlier. He spoke during selectmen’s comments at the end of the meeting on Oct. 3. He referred to the planning board meeting, which occurred on Oct. 2. 

“Last night, the planning board met. . . I don’t know what I experienced in that almost 4-hour-long meeting other than we have got a very good and qualified group of volunteers there acting as our planning board members and alternates,” Plummer said.

“A couple pieces, where there are shortfalls. Clearly, we’ve got some communication problems going on between the code enforcement officer, the attorney and the planning board. There is some weird disconnect going on. That miscommunication and people not understanding what other people are thinking, bogged that meeting down to snail’s pace, where it is almost non-functional,” he said.

“We are missing some clear guidance from that table. We cannot expect that from a volunteer chairman, a person who has a career, out there working. Who are the experts at the table? Leaves us with an attorney. Last night, clearly that was not communicated. It was held back. The CEO is also sitting at the table and really almost not helping . . .  A seat not occupied here, but in other communities is titled a planner,” Plummer said on Oct. 3.

Town Manager Ward explained that the code enforcment officer is not required to lead planning board meeting.

“Most towns don’t have the CEO at planning board meetings,” Ward said.

On Tuesday, many people got behind the idea of a planner. Some already had it on their minds.

Selectboard member Mary-Vienessa Fernandes said for the past several years she has mentioned the need for a town planner to the past three town manager, including Interim Town Manger Don Gerrish.

Selectman Robert MacDonald said the timing is right.

“When this comp plan gets approved, we are opening a Pandora Box for the planning board and the town itself. We look at the changes that come forth. We are all going to be busier. We need someone to help us,” he said.

Ward said that recently one of the planning board members Tuan Nguyen pointed out to him some discrepancies in the ordinances.“A board of five, who are volunteering their time, we cannot expect them to review all the codes and rectify them” without help and guidance, Ward said.

Plummer said he had a conversation with someone who has worked as a municipal planner.

“He walked me through the process, two different products, an in-hours planner that is town staff. There is more longterm. When you contract out, maybe that vision doesn’t happen. It depends on what you want to do: code changes, minor updates, major updates. In other communities larger than ours, they can offset the planner cost with fees and charges,” he said.

“Just a reminder he did offer to have him come in and walk us through the pros and cons and how the system works,” Plummer said.

Resident Tom Mulkern spoke. 

“I support the planner concept. I think it is the way to go. Having a planner missing is bogging down the process. I think not having a planner there has complicated the process,” he said.