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Readfield board to wait on Waterville numbers before deciding on Winthrop dispatch contract
Summary
The Readfield Select Board continued review of emergency dispatch options June 9, saying it will wait for Waterville’s per-capita proposal before deciding whether to accept Winthrop’s prior $770-per-person figure or negotiate. The board budgeted for the higher rate but prefers a multi-year guarantee.
The Readfield Select Board on June 9 continued its review of emergency dispatch services, saying it will wait for cost estimates from Waterville before making a final decision on whether to remain with Winthrop.
Board members noted a memorandum and recent email that cited a previous Winthrop proposal of $770 per capita. Officials said Waterville’s numbers — expected within about two weeks — may come in lower and will be vetted through local chiefs and unions before the board receives a recommendation.
“If Waterville is an option, one of the things that may happen is we may go back to Winthrop and say ‘meet it or beat it,’” a select board member said, describing the preference for either a competitive price or a longer-term price guarantee. The board also discussed equipment compatibility and the practical timeline for a transition: administrative coordination, hardware installation and inter-town approvals that make an immediate July 1 switch unlikely. Officials described a realistic transition window extending into late summer or early fall if the board opts to change providers.
Town staff told the board it budgeted conservatively for the higher Winthrop figure and that the town’s FY26 budget includes sufficient funds if Waterville’s proposal is not viable. Board members emphasized negotiating for multi-year price stability if Winthrop matches a lower bid, to avoid annual large increases.
The board asked staff to return with Waterville’s numbers and a recommendation at the next meeting; if Waterville’s figures prove competitive, the board said it may pursue a phased transfer and seek a short extension from Winthrop during the transition.
The debate did not produce a formal vote; members agreed to defer final action until the board reviews the vetted Waterville proposal.
