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Casco Select Board adopts 10‑year open space plan
Summary
The Casco Select Board voted to approve a 10‑year open space plan after a presentation by the town’s open-space commission. The plan prioritizes securing easements, regional trail connectivity and grant-funded projects; commissioners said the community will pursue targeted fundraising and grant applications.
The Casco Select Board on July 7 approved a 10‑year open space plan aimed at protecting local lands, securing easements and improving regional trail connectivity.
Open-space commissioners described the plan as a community-driven “playbook” that inventories existing public access and outlines steps to secure permanent protections without requiring the town to hold all land. Commissioners said the plan emphasizes working with landowners, seeking easements, and pursuing grant funding and volunteer support. The commission reported a recent $10,000 grant from the Maine Community Foundation and said it will pursue state and regional grant opportunities, including a $175,000 resiliency partnership grant due next year.
Board members questioned how the plan interacts with state law on tax-acquired property and what funding commitments the town might need. The manager advised the board that a recent court ruling has complicated the use of tax-acquired parcels and that any acquisition strategy will consider legal and market constraints. Commissioners said their approach is to prioritize easements, partnerships with land trusts, and targeted community investment rather than outright town ownership in every case.
A motion to approve the plan was made and seconded in open session and was carried by the board. The commission will return with implementation details, proposed funding strategies and community-engagement steps, and indicated it aims to be ready for grant submissions next year.
The most immediate next step is implementation planning and community outreach; commissioners asked the board to consider modest budget support and in-kind staff assistance as the group prepares grant applications.
