By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — City Council members from Presque Isle and Caribou met Nov. 19 at Northern Maine Community College to continue their discussion on ways the two communities might be able to combine services, saving both cities money. For public works, talk continued on staffing and other aspects of combining duties to provide adequate coverage to both municipalities, especially come winter.
City Manager Austin Bleess said, as it stands, Caribou’s staffing could go down by one in 2014, with other reductions possible.
“We’re looking at a 28-man crew. That would be a reduction of four full-time people, which translates to $160,000 in savings, but that’s not cut in stone,” said Bleess.
He said there were many things to take into consideration, from the number of “lane miles” each community has to maintain to labor contracts and where the new department would be based. With Presque Isle’s facility there’s a debt, while Caribou’s is debt-free, he said. If completely combined, Bleess said it would create “a sort of RSU-type unit.”
Councilor David Martin questioned if anyone had looked at the respective contracts, noting “no one will want to give anything up.”
PI Manager Jim Bennett said as a quasi-municipal corporation, new personnel rules and policies would need to be adopted.
“I don’t want to save money because we broke two unions for a cheaper labor force,” said Martin.
Bennett said there was a pay difference between the two municipalities.
“I do know there’s a pay difference of about $2 per hour, with Presque Isle employees being paid more than Caribou’s,” said Bennett, noting the creation of a new public works entity would require employees to re-apply for positions — those with good work records had nothing to worry about.
Caribou Coucilor Ken Murchison questioned if this was the simplest way to come to an agreement, by “creating more government.”
Bennett said it was the most efficient way to get more savings.
Dave Ouellette, Caribou-Presque Isle public works director, noted differences between the two communities, especially with regard to snow removal.
“The big stress of any public works department is the winter months. That’s the hard part to deal with. If it rains, you have to sand. You can’t wait to do something like you can in the summer,” said Ouellette. He said he’s been in Presque Isle long enough now to know the urban compact zone is about double that of Caribou’s.
Participants discussed various aspects of combining the two departments, including comparing the types of roads staff would have to maintain. Ouellette urged the need for a foreman, saying if anything happened to him (Ouellette), “Presque Isle would be in bad shape.”
“I’d like everyone to know both crews are very good. Councilors need to understand, when looking at less employees, you start to have a reduction in services. If we go with less, what will we lose? Both cities have suffered losses and adjusted, but I’m not sure it can continue. I’d like to be involved in these talks. Figures reflect a slight reduction in service has little effect in the summer, but if someone’s out sick, something doesn’t get done. That needs to be considered,” said Ouellette.
Municipal officials from both communities will resume discussions on combining services likely after the first of the year.
