By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer 

CASCO — The town manager announced plans to create a Facebook account for the Town of Casco. Also, a new face will be wielding the chairman’s gavel.

The Casco Board of Selectmen met Tuesday after a three-week hiatus, and some changes are taking place. 

New Chairman Thomas Peaslee is not a new face in town government. This summer is the beginning of his second term on the board of selectmen and, prior to that, he served on the Casco Planning Board. 

However, there has not been a change in the person who was chairman for a couple of years. So the face of the person holding the title of chairman will be new to everyone. 

Selectman Calvin Nutting nominated Peaslee for the position on the board

“Historically this has been a revolving position — nothing against current hierarchy,” Nutting said after making the motion to nominate Peaslee as chairman.

The board voted for Mary Fernandes as the vice chair. 

Also on Tuesday night, newly-hired Casco Town Manager Courtney O’Donnell gave her first-ever town manager’s report.

O’Donnell is the former Stockton Springs town manager who was hired to replace longtime Casco Town Manager Dave Morton who retired in June. 

O’Donnell only had two days on the job when the board met earlier this month. At that time, she did not have much to report. However, a lot has transpired in less than a month with O’Donnell at the helm.

“I am working hard to get up to speed on everything, and meeting people,” she began.

“I have intentions to create a town Facebook page,” she said.

Currently, the Town of Casco does not have a Facebook page and posts hot topics and public hearing notices on its website. However, the Casco Fire and Rescue Department does have a Facebook page, which it monitors.

The future Facebook account for the town would be restricted and would not allow public comments, which would eliminate the concern about inappropriate comments or lewd language. 

“It would be a town Facebook page. Notices would go up. There could be feel good stories,” O’Donnell said.

People “wouldn’t be able to post directly on our page.”

Speaking of feel-good stories, O’Donnell included some accolades in her town manager’s report.

“I would like to take a second to give staff recognition,” she started out saying.

A woman from New Jersey called the office to tell a story about how her kitten got stuck and how the Casco Animal Control Officer Jessica Jackson acted promptly and professionally.

“Jessica was courteous and helpful” the caller reported she said. 

Additionally, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) was impressed with the fast reaction of Casco Fire Chief Brian Cole and his staff after CCSO reported a missing toddler in the area. Cole knew which resources to reach out to and reacted quickly. 

“As a result, that little girl is safe and sound,” O’Donnell said 

“I think you guys should be aware of the good stuff,” she told the board. 

O’Donnell mentioned some big changes going on in her life that will temporarily impact her work schedule.

She will be out of the office from mid-August through early September because she is getting married and going on her honeymoon.