By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

CASCO—When Dave Morton was the town manager of Casco, there were lots of times he missed sit-down dinners and other evening activities with his family.

Therefore, it was particularly satisfying that he was able to plan the time of the town hall rededication ceremony around the schedules of his adult children.

“You cannot imagine how many softball games and baseball games or field hockey games and basketball games I’ve missed over the years. That’s the hardest part. That was particularly when the kids were really young, the selectboard would meet every week. At that time, I had to attend a lot of planning board and zoning board of appeals meetings,” Morton said.

“I missed a lot of those things when the kids were growing up,” Morton said.

Morton’s wife Donna and Holly Hancock, who sits on the Casco Board of Selectmen, worked around everyone’s schedule to land on the best day for the event.

On Monday evening, the Casco Town Office was officially dedicated to David P. Morton who served the town in the role of town manager for 41 years and retired in June of 2019.

“It is really an incredible honor,” Morton said following the ceremony.

During the ceremony, prior to the plaque being hung in the entrance of the town office, Morton had prepared a speech.

“I really need to thank the whole town of Casco. It has just been a wonderful place to work [with] great people. It has always amazed me through the years the special people you meet, the special talents [they have]. It’s just a wonderful community,” he said.

“It has been a great community to live in, to work in, to raise our children in,” Morton said.

“I really need to thank the town for the opportunity and privilege of serving here,” in the capacity of town manager, he said.

“I need to thank the townsfolk for approving the money to build this wonderful building,” he said, referring to the bond that passed at Town Meeting 2016.

Later, Morton gave special kudos to Administrative Assistant Bob Tooker for his part in the town hall construction. The town acted as the contractor, which allowed the taxpayers to save money on the total cost.

On Monday, Morton extended a thank you to the people who showed up for the rededication ceremony in the foyer of the town office. 

“I’d like to thank all of my friends and family here. You are all my friends or family,” he said.

“I promised myself when I became a town manager, that I would only do it was long as I liked it. Town manager is not a job you do if you are not enjoying it,” he said. “It is not that I didn’t enjoy it anymore. It was time. I was really happy when the selectboard chose a new town manager.”

When asked how retirement was treating him, Morton answered, “I recommend it. It’s very nice.”