Berry updates Richmond board on school reform, county policing
proposal
By Michael Reagan - Times Record Staff
3/19/07 - excerpt of longer article
RICHMOND - State Rep. Seth Berry,
D-Bowdoinham, told selectmen Thursday night that he plans to introduce a bill in the Legislature that proposes a deduction
in county taxes for communities with their own police forces.
Such a bill would benefit Richmond.
In the past, local officials have protested the amount of county taxes because the town does not often rely on the Sagadahoc
County Sheriff's Department.
It's got a long road to travel,"
Berry said of the bill.
Berry, whose district includes
Richmond, answered questions from the Board of Selectmen and residents who attended Thursday's meeting.
If Richmond gets a deduction in
its county tax bill, for example, Sagadahoc County towns without police departments might have to pay more to make up the
difference.
Another part of the discussion
revealed that local people might agree on an issue that does not have as much support in Augusta. Selectman James Pearson
said that county government should be abolished in Maine, other than county jails and sheriff's departments.
Berry spoke in favor of local
government and local control, but said his conversations with other legislators have shown him the support county government
has as a way to consolidate community services. For example, the Sagadahoc Regional Communications Center in Bath serves
as a dispatch center for towns that once had their own.
Berry also spent time talking
about another consolidation effort, Gov. John Baldacci's proposal to reduce the number of school districts in the state.
While he could not predict what a final school reform bill would look like, Berry said he believes the Legislature will insist
that it ensure more local control than allowed by Baldacci's proposal, which suggests eliminating local school boards in favor
of regional governing bodies.
Berry, a public school teacher,
added that the effort still has to find ways of saving money.
"I think if we think regionally,
think strategically, we can find savings there," he said.
Berry said combining the district
billing departments could save money, as well as buying educational items in bulk.
Berry said he has heard little
comment from constituents about the governor's proposal to consolidate to try to save tax dollars. A common question
he has heard is, "what will happen to my kid's school?"
His web site, www.sethberry.org, includes legislative updates and contact information. 