By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

CASCO — On the same evening that the Casco Board of Selectmen shared in the public announcement that the comp plan draft had been completed, the board heard a presentation on different options for having a town planner. 

Last week, the Town of Gray’s Community Development Director Doug Webster paid a visit to the selectmen.

There are three different models: full-time staff, part-time or shared staff and a consultant, Webster said. Also, there is a hybrid version — a part-time staff planner and a firm for review, he said.

“If you go with the town staff model, ideally that person would have some regular office hours to answer questions that come up during the week,” Webster said, adding to the duties, “helping applicants to go over submittals.”

Therefore, having a familiarty with Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regulations, and knowledge of storm water runoff will be important, he said. He stressed having knowledge of Maine since some laws differ from state to state.

Hiring someone as staff fosters loyalty, he explained.

“If you have town staff, they are more devoted to the town’s long-term goals,” Webster said. “The town is giving you your paycheck. In general, I’ve seen more commitment to the long-term development of the town when the person is hired by the town.”

“For implementation of the comp plan, get someone with a planning background not an engineering plan. Planners think different from engineers,” he said.

He advised pricing planning board application fee in a range so that it covers the cost of hiring a town planner.

“As you are aware that town costs of development review can be covered with fees associated with planning board review,” he asked.

It is important to adjust fees accordingly “so that the taxpayers aren’t supporting the planner cost,” Webster said.

“Full-time staff is probably ideal. The ideal model is having a back-up to the code enforcement office or code department. Personality is very important since that person interfaces with the public and the staff,” he said.

“If you went with full time and did developing review, you would still need consulting services. Unless you have a consultant, a town staff planner is going to need a backup. Looking at paperwork, you need a consulting/engineering background to do a thorough review of the project,” he said.

“Shared with another municipality. Ideally, the person would be working for a similarly sized town and has a close commute,” he said.

“The consultant path can work. You need the right person. If you do the consultant path, I would recommend a short duration contract to ‘feel the waters,’” he said.

He suggested that the town put out Requests for Qualifications (RFQs) for planner and engineering services separately.

“Who is out there? Put the money in the upcoming budget, use the winter to figure out which path to go with,” he said.