Three towns reject plan to merge services

In separate votes, the towns of Pembroke, Perry and Charlotte all rejected a proposal to join together in the delivery and housing of certain municipal services. Under the plan, the three towns would have shared a paid appointed professional staff -- administrative assistant, clerk, treasurer and tax collector -- to replace the part-time officials now elected separately in each town. In addition, the towns would have funded a centrally located public municipal office building.

The plan was developed by a committee of selectmen from the three towns in a two-year study, assisted by consultant Judy East of the Washington County Council of Governments. Funding was projected at 40% each from the towns of Pembroke and Perry, with 20% from Charlotte.

At a special town meeting on March 17, Pembroke voters defeated a motion supporting the tri-town concept by a vote of 30-48. Subsequent articles to appropriate funds for building operation and maintenance and for a $90,000 bond issue as Pembroke's contribution toward the common municipal building were never moved after voters declined to authorize the merger plan.

Selectmen of all three towns had urged voters to adopt the plan. With no town office, they said, elected officials have been storing public records in their own homes, where citizens are admitted to transact business. The question of liability for personal injury or damage to public records troubles the officeholders, as does the fact that their homes are not accessible to elderly or handicapped visitors. In addition, they say, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find persons willing to run for the offices as the duties require a higher level of professional training than in former times. Janice Scanlon, who serves as town clerk for both Pembroke and Perry, says she is no longer willing to offer her services on Sundays and holidays. "I'm stuck at home 24/7 – no more!" she adds.

Speaking against the proposal in Pembroke, Robert Barr claimed the cost of the "whole package" would add 9.2% to the average homeowner's tax bill. That figure was disputed by East and some town officials, but they were unable to offer a specific figure for the projected tax increase. Later, East said she calculated the increase would have been 4.9% over last year's taxes. Resident Marvin Owen said he was unwilling to give up the tradition of electing public officials in favor of appointing people to town jobs.

Perry residents voted on March 24, using printed ballots that presented all three questions related to the tri-town issue. Voters rejected the article asking for approval of the merger concept by 144-191, and declined the $90,000 bond issue by 135-199. However, the article appropriating $6,240 for a Municipal Building Operating Fund and $1,600 for a Municipal Building Reserve Fund was approved in a vote of 203-127. David Turner, chairman of the board of selectmen, speculated afterward that voters might have misunderstood the third article, assuming it applied to the present Perry Municipal Building rather than to the proposed tri-town building.

Voters in Charlotte considered the merger proposal at their regular town meeting on March 24, rejecting the concept by 9-36. In discussion, some residents complained the cost would be too great for a building that would probably not be located in their town. Others said the town's "identity" would suffer if the building were not located in Charlotte. The question was raised if the appointed municipal officials would need state certification and what it would cost the town to keep them and any future replacements trained. Many said that any improvement in services would not justify the added tax burden to residents in the present economy.

A grant of $75,000 – $25,000 to each of the three towns – from the Maine Municipal Bond Bank had helped to fund the work of the planning committee. Completed activities include website improvements for each town and the professional updating of tax maps. Pembroke selectman Milan Jamieson says about a third of the funds have been expended, but the remainder will have to be returned to the grantor.

Voters at the Pembroke special town meeting were also asked to approve updated bylaws for the Marion Transfer Station (MTS). Former selectman Robert Owen questioned a provision to set the quorum for the landfill's directors' meetings at five out of the 16 community representatives who serve on the board. Jamieson, who is the MTS manager, replied the group has "done everything -- moved meetings around the county" to improve attendance, but without success. The towns "need to appoint people who will come to meetings," countered Owen. The proposed bylaws were approved by voice vote.