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Readfield board warns county dispatch changes could raise local bills; authorizes outreach
Summary
Select Board members flagged a planned Kennebec County dispatch reconfiguration and new software as potentially increasing Readfield’s costs by roughly $15,000–$30,000 a year and authorized the town manager to send a joint letter asking the county and sheriff’s office for more details.
The Readfield Select Board on March 9 directed the town manager to press Kennebec County officials for answers about proposed changes to dispatch services after members described a fractured, costly mix of vendors and software that may shift new charges to municipalities.
The board’s discussion focused on a recent county move toward a new dispatch arrangement and software that does not mesh with the state police system. Officials said the current patchwork of providers — including Augusta Regional Communication Center and other centers handling 911, police and fire dispatching — means town governments could be billed separately for overlapping pieces of service.
Town Manager Eric summarized operational complexity and uncertainty around integration and costs, and staff estimated that if multiple pieces are billed separately the town’s share could rise by thousands of dollars annually. Board members noted a current figure for Augusta RCC billing in the packet (—eelings about approx. $27,800 for one component) and said adding Winthrop or other providers could push total local dispatch-related fees much higher. The board emphasized that the county and sheriff’s office had already purchased new equipment and that towns needed a clearer cost and integration analysis before any change was finalized.
The select board agreed it would be more effective to address concerns collectively with other municipalities. Members asked staff to refine a draft letter asking the sheriff and county commissioners for: a clear breakdown of which services towns would be charged for, how state police costs would be handled, an explanation of software-integration plans, and a long-range cost estimate. The board voted unanimously to authorize Eric to revise and send the letter and to share it with neighboring towns and town managers.
What happens next: staff will finalize the letter and begin outreach to other towns and county officials. Board members said they expect follow-up conversations and possibly further joint action if the county's answers do not allay municipal concerns.
