By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer 

CASCO — If two separate real-estate deals pan out as planned, Casco will be the owner of two adjacent lots in Webbs Mills by mid-November.

Casco Town Manager Anthony “Tony” Ward updated the Casco Board of Selectmen on the current status of the land purchases at the beginning of this month.  

“We have got contracts with both properties. We just talked to finalize the closing dates,” Ward said.  

“Based on the dialogue that has happened as of today, by your next meeting [Nov. 15] we will own those properties,” he said. 

That timeline should still be falling into place. 

“I anticipate both closings occurring next week,” Ward said on Tuesday. 

The town’s ownership of the lots will be instrumental to the expansion of Webbs Mill Park, formally known as Plummer Memorial Park.

About 20 years ago, the town purchased one undeveloped lot that abutted Route 11 on one side and the Mill Pond on another side. However, that lot was sold in August via the silent bidding process. There was a purpose assigned to that lot, having to do with the park. But, accidentally, the lot was placed on list of mostly tax-acquired parcels that the town was selling so that land could be taxed. When it was discovered the land had been sold to a private individual, residents came before the selectmen asking if the town would buy back the lot. Later, when contacted, the new owners asked a real estate agent to negotiate with the town.

The other lot, where a burned-out home stands, was privately owned. The person who owned it when the fire happened sold it to another party who was lining up plans with professional contractor to dispose of building. That party agreed to sell the lot to the town. The legwork of pricing the cost of getting rid of the building had already been done. 

On Sept. 27, a Special Town Meeting was held to ask citizens whether or not the town should purchase the lots. The majority of residents approved buying the land the town had previously owned. The price for this non-buildable lot was $20,000. In the case of the parcel with the uninhabitable home, the residents approved $100,000 to purchase the land and also to cover the cost to demolish the building and to dispose of the debris.

The Casco Open Space Commission has discussed the many ways owning these lots will benefit the park and help to protect the pond. Already, the lots are located in the Resource Protection Zone.