An editorial regarding school consolidation brings to mind a much larger issue (“Our View: School consolidation failure calls for different tack,” Sept. 2).

Maine has nearly 500 municipalities supported by only a half-million households. A number of these municipalities have fewer than 4,500 people and contain no physical school, post office, library, complete fire, EMT or public works services, medical services, pharmacy or complete grocery store. Yet their citizens support the town municipality structure that governs and provides state-mandated services.

The town municipality structure was created when travel, communications and time restraints were abysmal, and horse- and oxen-drawn wagons, dirt roads, personal conversations and snail mail were customary

During the past 150 years, revolutionary changes have occurred within our businesses, contracting and information industries, whereas minor muncipalities have languished. They may appear more personal and intimate and feel idealistic, judging from a bygone era; yet, while they render a strong sense of control, they can’t.

Why? With the unaffordability of property tax to support the necessary capital investment, operational and maintenance expenses and social services, town municipalities contract minimum services, further distancing local oversight and increasing languishment.

It’s time for the state to “encourage” the transfer of town municipalities’ duplicative services to an adjacent, full-time equivalent town, city or county government so optimal services may be provided.

To not do so continues this incremental increase of inadequate services at an ever-increasing cost, which ultimately will result in disastrous consequences. What they “take” to administer duplicative services costs our youth in social programming, students in education, breadwinners in retirement savings and the elderly in achieving a moderate existence.

With no constructive change drivers for improving this level of government, no entity exposes local people to better governmental structures. Presently, town municipalities unknowingly remain inefficient and costly. Why? Knowingly, “kick-the-can” works at the state level politically.

Stephen Gorden

North Yarmouth

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