By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

CASCO — The Casco Select Board was thrilled to meet new community members during the interviews for an ad hoc committee tasked with coming up with a plan to make the town’s streets safer for pedestrians.

Last year, Casco received a $50,000 resiliency grant from the State of Maine. As part of the grant application process, the Center for Ecology Based Economy (CEBE) hosted a workshop for Casco’s citizens. A specific concern expressed by a majority of residents was the lack of walkable roadways.

Recently, the board interviewed four of the six applicants for a seat on a short-term committee for Vision Zero, also referred to as Complete Streets. The concept behind Vision Zero is making changes to roads that result in zero injuries or fatalities to pedestrians and cyclists.

Following one interview, Select Board member Grant Plummer commented. 

“These are the people we wanted to show up. It is important that you are one of the people attempting to participate in safe Streets,” he said.

Chairman Scott Avery spoke, too.

“Honestly, this a breath of fresh air. We sit here two Tuesdays a month and I can pretty much tell you who is going to be here,” he said. “Seeing the new faces is very, very refreshing.”

The board vote, 5-0, to appoint the following people to the Vision Zero committee. Those people are Sam Brown, Eric Dibner, Chris Jordan, Justin Millette, Rae-Anne Nguyen, and Sarah Blank.

Blank brought with her one of the newest faces in Casco: A baby who was less than a year old. In addition to the baby and a desire to create safer roads for active people, Blank offered applicable knowledge and a specific skill set.

“We are avid walkers and runners and road users. We starting having to push the stroller on Mayberry Hill Road and that is scary,” she said.

“In Massachusetts, I was on the commission for the disabled in our town, working to facilitate access for persons with disabilities all across the community,” she said.

In her professional life, she worked as consultant in special education policy.

“So, I am interested in thinking about not only how to make it safer for us able-bodied folks to run around and do all the crazy stuff in the street and not get killed, but also providing access to disabled folks,” Blank said.

Another newcomer to Casco, Justin Millette impressed the select board.

“We moved here a few years ago. And ever since then, I’ve been like, ‘How can I really get involved with this community,’” said Millette, who resides on Granite Lane in South Casco.

“This one really strikes a chord with me. I am an active runner, active biker, and I try to use the streets as much as possible. Quite frankly, it is scary out there. There are no shoulders. The drivers drive like madmen. It is not comfortable,” Millette said. “Coming here, one of my biggest complaint is: It’s not very walkable, not very pedestrian-friendly out on the streets.”

Earlier in the evening, Eric Dibner was interviewed.

“This committee to me is doing the work of the Open Space Commission, a small part of it. It is timely with comp plan. It pulls several threads out of the comp plan, which we can weave into a stepping stone toward insuring better safety and better air — if you will,” Dibner began. 

“I’ve been interested in access to the ‘public commons.’ The things that we all, that the town owns, so to speak. The roads, whether we own them or not, are part of our town. Making them safe as possible is key to better town. It allows people to have access to nature and allows us to get from one place to another. It is green. It cuts down on some of our poor behaviors as a society. It is the town’s responsibility to protect the pathways for everybody to be able to access the outdoors, get from one place to another, to slow down and appreciate the secrets of natures,” he said.

He pondered exactly how the committee will accomplish that. Perhaps, turning ideas into a safe streets policy, Dibner said.

Casco Town Manager Anthony “Tony” Ward offered some clarification.

“Part of it is public engagement. Getting with CEBE, they will help facilitate public engagement to get the community buy-in,” Ward said.

The ad hoc committee will be in existence for about six months, Ward estimated. The objectives of Vision Zero will dovetail with the Casco Comprehensive Plan, which was approved in February 2023.

Select board member Plummer expressed his enthusiasm about this committee and the tasks before them.

“I am excited. This group gets to do some of the fun stuff. You get to utilize some grant money that seems like it will be replenished if we do good work, if it is successful. Once we get the steamroller moving, it will be difficult to stop,” Plummer said. “We will take you guys, and enjoy the ride with you. Hopefully, we’ll do some cool stuff in town.”