Editorial:

With state grants, regionalization gains new appeal

Copyright © 2004 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.

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It makes a lot of sense that communities would want to work together to save money and cut taxes.

The concept, dubbed "regionalization," is discussed all the time -- has been for years.

It has not been implemented nearly as often, however.

That has to change. Communities must set aside their territoriality and provincialism.

Hometown pride is great, but not when it encourages the duplication of services.

Several communities in central Maine, prompted by demands to reduce property taxes, have begun talking more seriously about ways they can work together.

Waterville and Winslow are exploring the possibility of merging their fire departments and maybe their police departments. This certainly seems workable for the two communities that are a combined 53.6 square miles.

Augusta, by comparison, is 57.4 square miles and also divided by the Kennebec River. Its Police and Fire departments seem to have no trouble handling an area that size.

As many as 13 towns from Albion to Pittsfield to St. Albans are also talking about working together to save taxpayers money.

They all hope to qualify for state money aimed at increasing regionalization.

In a wise strategy, the state is making at least $1 million available to cities and towns that are serious about teaming up to deliver services more efficiently.

If lawmakers in the upcoming legislative session implement a regionalization program as approved by voters last June, the fund could grow to $2 million.

A separate fund of as much as $19 million could be available to help Maine schools share certain programs, services and costs.

It is encouraging that the state grants have gotten municipalities thinking more seriously about regionalization.

Hopefully, discussions will produce agreements that will help reduce what are some of the nation's highest property taxes.

The recent discussions in Waterville and Winslow and a meeting Tuesday night in Pittsfield show a warmer reception toward regionalization in central Maine.

Communities need to get cracking, however. They have until Jan. 14 to submit their grant applications to the state.

The maximum grant is $200,000, which should go a long way toward helping municipalities study the benefits of teamwork.

We hope state government is deluged with applications from communities that have come up with innovative plans.

There are many areas, after all, where cities and towns can join forces. Along with fire and police protection, they include ambulance service, road repair, trash collection, recycling, snow removal, purchasing and recreation programs.

Some communities are already working together in smaller ways.

They need to start thinking bigger, however, if they want to regionalize in ways that start saving real money.