What One Raymond has already accomplished :

Shared plowing services

Universal computer network and server

Shared custodial services

Integrated mapping services (GIS)

Merger of assessing and financial offices

What’s on the agenda:

Shared insurance provider

Shared vendors (oil provider, for example)

Grounds work and maintenance

Regional dispatch center

Shared police services

Usage of school space for municipal purposes

Privatization of payroll services

The town of Raymond, already recognized by the state for its efforts to consolidate resources in order to save taxpayers’ money, is looking for additional ways to share school material, staff and equipment together with the town.

The One Raymond Steering Committee, headed by the Board of Selectmen Chairman Mark Gendron, has already merged the janitorial staff of the school with the town’s, in addition to sharing computer services, public works such as plowing, mapping services, and a network administrator.

“The fact that the town is working with the school department to save money is unique,” said Town Manager Don Willard. “This avoids duplication of resources, and it helps to reduce costs in terms of redundant staff, materials or equipment. There aren’t a lot of towns doing what we’re doing.”

In fact, the town of Raymond received an award from the Greater Portland Council of Governments, a nonprofit organization that advocates for community development and cooperation, for Raymond’s efforts in combining resources.

Winthrop Town Manager Cornell Knight said his town is continuing to work toward more of the initiatives Raymond has already put in motion.

“The school business office and town finance office are in the same place, and the town handles all grounds maintenance. We have the same computer program, and we do share some financial services and accounting work. We do see some savings and we’re definitely more efficient, but we can do more,” he said.

Although these consolidations predate initiatives like TABOR, Willard said the town’s impetus in making these changes has certainly been reinforced by those citizen initiatives.

“Things like TABOR have increased our interest,” he said. “We are respectful that taxpayers want reform.”

According to town officials, items such as additional policing services, a shared insurance policy between the school and the town, a regional dispatch center and common vendors are now in the sights of the One Raymond Steering Committee.

Space in the Jordan Small Middle School is now being considered for municipal use (the current town office is “not adequate,” according to Willard), and the idea of privatizing payroll services is also a future agenda item.

The big reason why Raymond is capable of even considering these types of changes, according to Willard, is that it has a lower tax rate than other towns, allowing for more flexibility.

“I think that’s a big part of the reason that we can do this,” he said. “We’re always looking for fuller integration.”

Raymond is reaching out to other communities to research and compare cost-saving tactics, according to Selectman Gendron, who said Raymond is unique in its approach to viewing the town as a single, autonomous unit, which can share its staff and materials to combat superfluous spending.

“Everything is part of Raymond,” he said. “The cost savings for the town will be considerable. We’re trying to make this as economically feasible as possible.”

Gendron pointed out that the One Raymond Steering Committee consists of members from the budget and comprehensive plan committees and the school board, providing critical perspectives that represent the town.