This corner has been extremely critical of the state’s school consolidation effort. In spite of the voters settling the issue last November, our concerns are not assuaged in the slightest. The thrust of our argument remains that consolidation is a good idea only in cases where it makes sense, improves services, and saves money.
Consolidation for its own sake is a waste of time and effort, to say the least.
In that light, it is refreshing to see the selectmen in the Twin Villages come together in a common sense move for both towns. It makes sense for Newcastle and Damariscotta to share some services, more so we dare say, than it might for other towns and other instances.
We applaud the selectmen for going slowly as they give this sharing of services a trial run, starting with the cemetery mowing contract and possibly following with a unified highway department. Each move should be considered carefully on its own merits and we are confident officials in both towns will remain vigilant representing the concerns of their respective constituencies.
Admittedly, we would be less than enthusiastic if both towns threw all in together with little forethought, but this is not the case. Both towns have their own histories and local institutions that should be respected and we think this one step at a time approach allows those things to be taken into consideration.
Of course, we could argue that Damariscotta and Newcastle might make a good case for appropriate consolidation. Not for nothing are they known as the Twin Villages.
While Newcastle residents are as proud of their town as Damariscotta residents are of theirs, the two towns undeniably share enough similarities to make the consolidation of some services a sensible move.
In some cases, such as the two fire departments, which already have a formalized mutual aid agreement, and Great Salt Bay Community School, both towns already work well together, sharing the load and the bills.
We argue the Twin Villages model is something the Governor should pay attention to. Local residents all over the state may need some encouragement to get started, but they can figure out for themselves what fits their town and what doesn’t.
This makes more sense, we dare say, than shoehorning towns like Westport Island and Palermo together by decree.
