NEW GLOUCESTER – An update on the proposed merger of SAD 15 and School Union 29 was presented to selectmen Monday.

The plan calls for forming a system of roughly 3,700 from Gray, New Gloucester, Poland, Mechanic Falls and Minot.

Voters in each town must approve the plan.

“This (plan) is really ill conceived, and there is no direction from the state as to how this is to be done to reinvent education,” SAD 15 board Chairman Alan Rich of New Gloucester said. “At this point, Union 29 is more reluctant to participate in the process than we are.

“We are entering into the process with due diligence, but it’s been frustrating,” he said. “We are trying to make a new union of five different towns so no one’s disadvantaged and the separateness of each town is not lost.”

After Jan. 31, 2008, a school budget must be developed for approval by the five member towns. Ten days after the budget meeting, a public referendum on the final budget will be held. If the budget fails to pass, another town meeting must be scheduled.

Rich said the barriers to the consolidation include who pays for future and current debt and how to pay for additional local funds for schools.

“There is a $1.5 million increased cost difference to SAD 15 by joining Union 29. And, if Union 29 fails to consolidate with SAD 15, penalties levied by the state on Union 29 can be expected. We will continue and see where the dust settles,” he said.

A meeting is planned in January between SAD 15 and Union 29.

“We are in the really early days now,” Rich said.

In other business, the board approved plowing the perimeter road of the New Gloucester Fairgrounds for walkers, who petitioned to keep the area open during the winter.

The town’s highway department will plow first, then the maintenance will be done by volunteers. The access road will not be sanded.

Finally, the 212th annual town report was dedicated to Edgar Wilcox who died Oct. 17.

His widow Nancy Wilcox received the award for her husband, who served on many town boards, including selectmen and school.