| Sunday, March 20, 2005 EDITORIAL:
Copyright © 2005 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc. | ||
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The word "regionalization" has long sent a chill down the spines of government officials who have equated it with "loss of jobs" and "loss of control."
Consolidating and regionalizing departments, however, ultimately makes a more efficient government, and that saves taxpayer dollars in the end.
A group of seven Southern Maine water utilities, the Southern Maine Regional Water Coalition, is making a laudable effort to regionalize. It has developed legislation, sponsored by Rep. Chris Barstow, D-Gorham, that would allow for the creation of regional water councils.
The water councils would operate similarly to government councils, creating opportunities for cost sharing and better eligibility for federal funds. The legislation would allow utilities to retain autonomy and have their own bylaws.
The coalition hopes to create its own council, which would serve 23 communities, or about 375,000 people. Utility officials say this would make for better distribution, pointing to a recent drought as an example of where regional planning could have helped. The drought left many Maine water utilities with low water supplies, and more coordinated planning might have prevented the problem.
The councils also would help improve security, ensuring backup systems and water supplies in the event of a terrorist attack. Officials are also discussing changes such as regional call centers and improving evening and overnight service coverage.
Then, of course, there's the cost-saving aspect. The councils can share some costs and get more federal funding as a cooperative entity. Both efforts will help save consumer and taxpayer dollars.
The chairman of the coalition, Bob Theriault of Biddeford & Saco Water Co., said it's too early to tell whether the effort would reduce the number of water utility staff. What it wouldn't do, however, is add employees. The work involved in setting up the councils would be conducted by on-staff, salaried employees.
It's fair to surmise also that making utilities operate more efficiently would open opportunities for a reduction in staff or at least eliminate the need to hire more in the future.
Such is the benefit of regionalization. It minimizes duplication, and it's the best way to see real property tax relief.
Municipalities should follow the example of these water utilities and find ways to consolidate other services to better serve the residents of their communities and to help save them money.
Creating water councils is a good step toward making that happen.
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