Select Board hears animal-control call data, seeks quick talks with Raymond

The Casco Select Board on July 21 heard a report from the town manager on animal-control activity and directed staff to pursue a rapid discussion with the neighboring town of Raymond to resolve service and cost questions ahead of next year's warrant.

"The data shows between Casco and Raymond, we generated a 105 calls for ACO service during this period," the town manager said, presenting Cumberland County Regional Dispatch figures and describing weekly and hourly call patterns. He said the figures represent initial call times and do not measure response time.

Several board members pressed for a small working group that includes representatives from Casco and Raymond to "sit at a table and talk about where everybody is" and to surface solutions before budget season. Sam Brown, a Safe Streets Committee member speaking during public comment, asked, "What does a solution look like?" and urged the board to present clear options so voters understand trade-offs at the 2027 warrant.

Tony (the town manager) told the board staff will prepare draft interlocal language and said he anticipated a response from Raymond within a few weeks so the towns can decide whether to negotiate a shared-service approach or pursue alternate arrangements. Board members asked for a follow-up that includes response-time detail and a clear cost estimate when staff returns to the board.

The board did not take a formal vote on an interlocal agreement at the meeting and asked staff to return with proposals and, if appropriate, a narrow set of town representatives to negotiate with Raymond.