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September 15, 2010

State rep fights 911 consolidation

Kennebec Journal Staff

HALLOWELL -- A state representative is urging the state to back off its plan to consolidate public safety dispatch centers.

Rep. Sharon Treat, D-Hallowell, issued a news release Tuesday calling on the state Public Utilities Commission to reject the proposal that would consolidate emergency dispatch 911 services through a contract with the Central Maine Regional Communications Center.

Her protest was lodged in the form of a letter to the commission entered as part of the public comment period that ended Tuesday.

"Forcing a town to choose a service provider that will cost more and provide a lesser service is an inappropriate role for the PUC, which should be promoting better service at a lower cost -- not the other way around," Treat's letter said.

The PUC released its draft plan for the consolidation of the state's 26 dispatch centers, known as Public Safety Answering Points, on Aug. 5. The plan calls for the reduction of the centers from 26 to 17 with only one in each county -- except Cumberland, which would get two.

The plan also requires towns across the state to contract with designated regional communications centers, whhich Treat said would rob municipalities and counties of the freedom to compare rates and service quality.

Treat said she was asked to intervene in support of her community by local elected officials and emergency responders, who oppose the consolidation.

The city of Hallowell uses Somerset County emergency dispatch services. Farmingdale and West Gardiner use Lincoln County services. Elsewhere in Kennebec County, Mount Vernon opts to use the Franklin County dispatch center.

Municipalities including Waterville, Augusta, China and Farmingdale have written letters to the PUC opposing the plan.

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