PARIS — Oxford County is considering a new regionalization plan to offer animal control services to area towns.
County Administrator Donald Durrah told commissioners at Thursday’s workshop that he recently met with officials in Rumford, Newry, Bethel, Mexico and Dixfield to discuss the possibility of the county providing animal control services.
Discussions are in the preliminary stages to see if such a plan is viable and cost effective.
Rumford recently lost its animal control officer, Durrah said, which prompted the meeting.
Newry’s animal control officer is expected to retire soon.
Durrah said he put together a preliminary budget, which would include a vehicle. The plan, as of now, would require one full-time officer and one part-time officer to fill in on vacations. If the concept is expanded to cover the entire county, Durrah estimates he would need two full-time and two part-time officers, dividing the county into north and south sections.
Towns who agree to the plan would be charged per capita for the service. The officers would be county employees.
Durrah said he has heard from other town officials who may be interested in joining.
Still in the development stage, the county is uncertain if this would be a new county department or become part of the Sheriff’s Office.
Commissioners expressed support for the plan and, if successful, it could be a model for other regionalization services.
In other business, commissioners approved hiring Justin Groetzinger as a full-time deputy and accepted the resignation of Deputy Anthony York. The board also accepted the resignation of part-time dispatcher Jon Bolduc.
Before an executive session to discuss union contract negotiations, county employees brought in cake and other food to celebrate Durrah’s 50th birthday.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
