Casco Select Board to review Open Space Plan; commission asks for printed copies and prioritization

Sam Brown, a member of the Open Space Commission, presented highlights of a lengthy open-space plan and asked the Select Board to take time to review the document before voting on adoption. "It's a fantastic starting point," Brown said, and the commission offered to meet with the board and answer questions at the next meeting.

Commission members asked the board to consider printing about 20 bound copies for distribution so residents without easy online access can review the plan. Brown noted the plan is intentionally written with repeated language and a large implementation matrix; he said readers could skip to the matrix for a concise list of actions. The commission and staff also discussed alignment with the comprehensive plan and possible grant eligibility tied to adoption.

Budget and next steps: the commission reported a $2,500 implementation line in the approved budget for open-space work and suggested the board prioritize three starter actions and schedule a workshop to refine next steps. The board agreed to place the plan on the next agenda (July 7) for further consideration and to invite commission members to participate in that discussion.

Why it matters: adopting an open-space plan can make the town more competitive for grant funding, clarify priorities for land protection and recreation access, and coordinate efforts with neighboring land trusts and towns.

What’s next: the board will consider the plan at an upcoming meeting, staff will research printing options for about 20 bound copies, and the commission will provide representatives to answer questions at the July meeting.