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Commission discusses extending consultant contract to support regionalized fire and EMS districts
Summary
Dr. Paul Froman told commissioners he has worked with nine communities, the UT and three groups exploring regional fire/EMS districts; commissioners signaled support to continue his six-month contract if grant or outside funds cover it and asked staff to put a formal vote on Dec. 11.
Dr. Paul Froman, a consultant working with several communities on regionalizing fire and EMS services, updated Penobscot County commissioners on his work and asked whether the county wanted to continue his contract. Froman said three community groups have told him they plan to take district plans to voters next year and that in total "it's 9 communities plus the UT, and 3 different groups" actively pursuing collaboration.
Froman said the current six-month contract (renewed in July) ends Dec. 31 and allows for an extension; he said the contract would default to prior wage levels unless additional local grant funds (for example, from Millinocket) are secured. Commissioners expressed appreciation for his role in convening district talks, noted budgets are tight, and signaled they would be willing to continue the contract if grant or outside funds cover the cost.
Chair asked staff to check with Brenda and George about potential UT or grant support and directed Gary Lim, interim administrator, to add the continuation and a funding clarification to the Dec. 11 agenda so commissioners could take an official vote. Froman said one Millinocket-area grant application he helped file is under review and could provide funding early next year.
No formal contract extension vote was taken at the meeting; commissioners instead agreed to return the item for a recorded vote once funding sources and any cost-sharing arrangements are clarified.
