By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

CASCO — A new job can bring about feelings of hope and excitement.

It was no different for Courtney O’Donnell last week as she put her signature on the employment contract for the Casco town manager position.

“When I signed the job contract, I had feelings of happiness and excitement. I’m really looking forward to getting to know the people, the town, and everything that’s going on,” Courtney said via e-mail on Tuesday.

“I’m very fortunate that they chose me,” O’Donnell said.

Likewise, Holly Hancock, the chairman of the Casco Board of Selectmen, said she felt fortunate that O’Donnell agreed to take the job

“She was our first choice in the first round,” Hancock said. “We found a way to get her to say, ‘Yes.’”

Hancock confirmed that on Friday, June 7, O’Donnell signed the job contract and will be the replacement for current Casco Town Manager Dave Morton, who is retiring after 42 years.

She said that O’Donnell’s start date is July 8.

The expectation is that O’Donnell will make an appearance and be introduced to residents at the Casco Town Meeting. (Town meeting occurs on Wednesday night after presstime for The Bridgton News.)

Hancock listed some of the reasons that the board decided to hire O’Donnell.

“She just seems like a good fit. She is upbeat. She has lots of experience,” Hancock said.

O’Donnell is the town manager of Stockton Springs, a job she has held since Feb. 2017. Prior to that, she worked in the city manager’s office in Bangor.

Stockton Springs is a town located in Waldo County. According to the 2010 census, the year-round population is 1,591.

Casco has a permanent population of 3,742, according to the 2010 census.

Chairman Hancock drew some correlations between Stockton Springs and Casco.

“They have the same type of summertime we do. It is a small town. Then, in the summer, the population gets bigger,” Hancock said. “So, she is used to the seasonal transition.”

On Tuesday, O’Donnell said she is looking forward to making the move to the area.

“I plan to temporarily rent within easy driving distance until I find a suitable property to purchase,” she said.

“The top three reasons I decided to accept the position as Town Manager of Casco was the [selectmen’s] genuine approach, the high level of collaboration and forward thinking, and the feel, opportunity and challenge that Casco has to offer,” O’Donnell said.