By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

CASCO — It seems like the No Overnight Parking signs popped up overnight.

Some “No Overnight Parking” signs have been posted at the Casco Community Center off Meadow Road and at the Casco Community Park off Route 11, according to Casco Town Manager Anthony “Tony” Ward.  

He explained why the signs were put up during the Casco Board of Selectmen meeting. 

“The ‘No Overnight Parking’ signs here at the community center and the community park — I made the decision on doing that. Part of what my decision-making process was: I was told that in the past, there was overnight parking here. During the winter-time, we had problems with some individuals so I implemented that,” Ward said.

“At the community park, the intent of no overnight parking was for the 18 wheelers. They were using that as their resting spot. If you look at the base coat on that asphalt there, having a semi sitting there for 24 hours was becoming harmful,” he said.

The community park, which is where the Memorial School sports fields are, has had many improvements made to the property, including paving the parking area. 

“I had no intent of trying to usurp anyone’s authority. I was just trying to resolve the problems quickly,” he said.

Chairman Robert MacDonald said that topic would be added to the agenda for the board’s next meeting. The selectmen could discuss adopting a policy to match the signs.

Drafting a policy that forbids overnight parking at those town’s properties would strengthen the signage, MacDonald said.