By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Plans are under way for a joint meeting of local city and town officials, with the goal of finding ways to possibly share services in the future.
City Manager Jim Bennett shared information on the upcoming event with councilors during their Aug. 1 meeting at City Hall.
“The joint meeting that you offered to host is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 1, at UMPI, starting at 5:15 p.m., with the meeting beginning at 6 p.m.,” said Bennett. “This is an opportunity to hear from your colleagues in other communities, including: Washburn, Mapleton, Castle Hill, Chapman and Easton.”
Bennett told councilors that community leaders from surrounding communities had been invited and asked to “set this day aside as an opportunity to get together.”
“We also had a simple survey that went out electronically — went out to all elected officials — to give you a baseline to help shape the agenda for you,” said Bennett, noting there’d been a bit of a buzz over the upcoming meeting.
A similar meeting was held between Caribou and Presque Isle nearly a decade ago, noted Bennett.
Councilor Bruce Sargent asked if this was an effort to consolidate services. Bennett acknowledged that could be a possibility.
“Whether consolidating use of equipment, have one dispatch center rather than a couple — services are important to your constituents. They won’t turn the keys over to people they don’t know. I don’t expect grand events out of the first meeting, but it could mean good things in future meetings,” said Bennett.
“It’s really about whether people doing what’s necessary to share. Other communities regularly share,” said Bennett. “A lot of stuff is being done all over the state.”
Council Chair Emily Smith noted Limestone and Fort Fairfield’s collaboration on fire department personnel.
“Fort and Limestone share the fire chief. That collaboration has been a great success. When you have the right person, it can work,” said Smith.
Bennett agreed, noting that three local communities that have worked together for quite some time now, despite skepticism from folks around the state. Now those three communities, according to Bennett, serve as role models for others that are looking to consolidate services.
“One model put out there that has been a proven model of success — Mapleton, Chapman and Castle Hill,” said Bennett, adding, “we may have some good things to learn from our neighbors.”
