JAY, Maine — The Jay Select Board on Monday took a significant step toward potential police consolidation with Wilton, voting to ask Wilton to enter a contract where Jay would provide police services for both towns while a more comprehensive merger is explored. The move comes after a study committee recommended several options for law enforcement collaboration, aiming to address challenges faced by both communities.
The board’s decision, approved by a 4-1 vote, initiates a two-step process. First, Jay would provide policing for both towns under a contractual agreement. Simultaneously, the communities would work to establish a quasi-municipal corporation to formally merge their police departments. Selectwoman Lee Ann Dalessandro, who proposed the motion, explained that this approach would allow Wilton to benefit from Jay’s services immediately while the longer-term structure is developed. “They could pay us and come under our umbrella,” she said, according to meeting minutes reported by The Maine Monitor.
The impetus for exploring collaboration stems from concerns about staffing and financial sustainability. Jay Police Chief Joseph Sage told the board that the central question is whether the towns can “provide the same or better service for the same price.” He indicated a preference for both the contract option and the creation of a quasi-municipal corporation, acknowledging that the latter would take more time to implement. The Wilton-Jay Police Collaboration Committee had previously outlined four potential paths forward, including maintaining the status quo and contracting with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, options the Jay board quickly dismissed.
Exploring Collaboration Options
The committee’s report, presented to the Jay board on February 9 and to the Wilton board on February 3, detailed the four options. These ranged from no changes to forming a quasi-municipal corporation with equal control by both towns. The quasi-municipal model, drawing comparisons to successful consolidations in states like Pennsylvania – where 141 departments consolidated into 43, according to Dalessandro – was seen as a potentially long-term solution. But, it likewise carries uncertainties regarding costs and implementation timelines.
The contract option, Option 3, was favored as the quickest path to collaboration. Sage noted that even this approach would require time for Wilton to determine the specific services it needs from Jay and how to fund them. A key factor influencing the timeline is the expiration of police union contracts in both towns on June 30. Jay Town Manager Shiloh LaFreniere emphasized the need to align these contracts if a partnership moves forward, noting that pension plans are already compatible.
Accreditation and Oversight
A significant benefit of a collaboration with Jay, according to Dalessandro, is its accreditation by the Maine Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (MLEAP). Jay, along with Farmington and the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office, is one of only 39 police agencies in Maine to achieve this status. Accreditation signifies adherence to higher standards and can lower insurance costs, potentially benefiting Wilton.
Dalessandro also proposed the creation of an oversight committee comprised of residents from both towns to ensure transparency and community input throughout the process. This committee would be part of the contractual agreement between Jay and Wilton.
Differing Views and Next Steps
While the motion passed in Jay, it wasn’t without dissent. Selectman Gary McGrane voted against the proposal, expressing a preference for moving directly to the formation of a quasi-municipal corporation. The sentiment among board members, including Selectman Tim DeMillo, leaned toward a full merger. “A merger (with Wilton) would be my choice,” DeMillo stated.
The next step hinges on Wilton’s response. The Wilton Board of Selectpersons is scheduled to discuss the proposal at its meeting on Monday, March 2. Both boards have stressed the importance of gathering public input before making any final decisions. Jay Selectman Thomas Goding affirmed, “We won’t push this through without a town vote,” while Board Chair Terry Bergeron emphasized the need to address concerns about officer retention and financial implications.
Jay, with a population of approximately 4,620 and covering 48.4 square miles, is the larger of the two towns. Wilton has an estimated population of 3,835 and covers 41.3 square miles. The potential collaboration reflects a growing trend among rural communities in Maine seeking to share resources and maintain essential services.
The Jay Select Board also addressed other town matters during its meeting, including raising vehicle registration fees and accepting a permit application for the Western Maine Energy Storage Project. However, the discussion surrounding police collaboration dominated the agenda, signaling a potentially transformative shift for law enforcement in both Jay and Wilton.
Residents of both towns can expect further updates and opportunities for public comment as the proposal moves forward. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether a collaborative path can be forged, offering a potential model for other rural communities in Maine facing similar challenges.
For those interested in learning more about the Wilton-Jay Police Collaboration Committee and its findings, resources are available on the town of Wilton’s website: https://www.wiltonmaine.gov/departments/boards-committees/wilton-jay-police-collaboration-committee/.
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