By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

CASCO — Casco residents have been debating how to move forward with the next step in the Comprehensive Plan — The implementation phase.

Residents dedicated about 45 minutes to the topic during a Casco Select Board meeting earlier this month. Some people expressed that democracy was not really occurring and that decisions were being made counter to the greater good of the community. Other people said they trusted the elected officials to make the appropriate changes to a contract between the Town of Casco and the planning firm that already assisted with the Comprehensive Plan process over the past couple years.

This agenda item — the hiring of Maine Design Workshop to help with the implementation phase — has been tabled twice so that more discussion could take place.

In the end, the board voted, 4-1, to enter into a job contract with Maine Design Workshop, the planning firm owned by Vanessa Farr. This is how the discussion panned out during the March 5 meeting.

The topic was presented by Casco Town Manager Anthony “Tony” Ward. He told the board that its options were to accept the proposal of Maine Design Workshop or put the contractual work out to bid.

Robert MacDonald was the first board member to comment.

“We do need someone to assist us that knows comp plans,” he said, listing one reason to contract with Farr.

“I know that Vanessa was confrontational. I personally have no problems with Vanessa,” MacDonald said.

He switched topics, talking about the Implementation Committee that will need to be formed and who should be on it.

“There should be someone from this select board on the Implementation Committee. It is going to take a lot of work. Our legacy of the future is starting with this plan. We gotta make sure to preserve this town the way we want it now and not just wait 10 years,” MacDonald said.

This is in reference to the previous Comp Plan that was adopted but not implemented.

Next, chairman Scott Avery claimed to be on the fence.

“I am not swayed either way. I would be happy either way,” Avery said.

He talked about why action needs to happen.

“The [Comp] Plan we had before was not implemented correctly. There are duplicate codes and codes that were never implemented,” he said.

“I don’t think we are looking for someone to implement the plan for us. We are looking for guidance to implement the plan,” Avery said. “I don’t want to rush it. I don’t want to cool the jets either. Whichever way we go, let’s pursue this and get started.”

Select Board member Mary-Vienessa Fernandes said there was no time like the present to get the ball rolling on the implementation of this brand-new Comp Plan. “I have no issues with anyone,” she stated.

“I don’t want this comp plan to wane. I would like to seat the people who volunteered for the implementation committee. I don’t want the ones who volunteered to lose interest,” she said.

At the end of the table, Select Board member Grant Plummer shared his viewpoint.

“Recognizing that later on, we will be looking at our budget process and some of that includes a new planner . . .  Number One: We move forward with Vanessa’s team to get us started. I think momentum is important. That is where I am at,” Plummer said.

Resident Pam Edwards, who sat on the Comp Plan Steering Committee, sent an e-mail to the board members.

“First, we can do this. Second, trust our abilities and those of community members. We have the talent. Rely on community members to lead the implementation process,” she said. “I am not in favor of having Maine Design Workshop leading the effort.”

“The last point to consider is re-writing Task No. 1 for on-call technical support. Right now, the way the contract is written it isn’t the town leading the effort, it’s Maine Design Workshop,” Edwards said.

As soon as Edwards sat down, Eugene Connell made the motion to authorize the town manager to sign the contract with Maine Design Workshop.

There was some rumbling of voices in the audience after the motion was made. Select Board MacDonald was the first to take the floor.

“Can I just make a comment first? Maybe, we should look at exactly how to do this. We are in favor of hiring Vanessa. Let’s tweak what her task description. I feel she should be there to assist but not lead,” he said.

Resident Sam Brown stepped to the microphone with an emotional response to selectmen making the motion.

“I am just shocked. I’ve had personal conversations with two of the Select Board. I’ve been witness to a number of e-mails back and forth. This is third meeting on the subject,” Brown began. “There is no creative thinking on the part of the board going forward. There is no response to the community outcries to not move forward with the proposal that was submitted. It’s ridiculous. I am disappointed in your lack of leadership and your lack of creative thinking — To just say, ‘Oh we’re just going to do it. It is third meeting. We’re just going to vote it in.’”

“I have participated in the process since the beginning and I will continue to. You have heard from a number of people in the community. You are going to hire someone none of us who will be at the table working will to want to work with her. You want to move forward with this? I’m really incensed,” Brown said.

Town Manager Ward spoke a bit later, saying, “The role that is described is no different than a planner providing guidance. This is strictly a staff position providing support to volunteers.”

Then, a few people who supported the hiring of MDW came forward.

“Not everyone who send e-mails was against signing a contract with this company,” Tuan Nguyen said. “For me, working with the planning board, we need this committee to be set up so we can discuss things with them. I would hate to see it pushed off for another couple weeks.”

Then Nguyen addressed the Select Board.

“You all know what you want from the person providing these services. I have confidence in your ability to hash that out tonight so we can get to work,” he said, addressing the Select Board.

Rae-Anne Nguyen, who chaired the Comp Plan Steering Committee, added to the discussion.

“I wanted to reiterate in the 50-plus pages of the Comp Plan that talks about the implementation, nowhere does it say the implementation person tells us what to do,” she said.

Deciding what to do is a job for town’s department heads, the Parks and Recreation committees, the Open Space Commission — to name a few groups.

“The Plan is laid out so that townspeople have a voice. The consultant is there as a guide, as a professional in the field,” Rae-Ann Nguyen said. Although the future volunteers will lend experience and skills to the implementation phase, it is key to have a professional in the planning field, she said.