AUBURN — A plan to end years of debate over who answers calls for help in Androscoggin County is almost done.

On Wednesday, the three-member Androscoggin County Commission plans to unveil a compromise they all support, something that has evaded them for years.

“I believe all three of the commissioners will be in unanimous consent,” Chairman Randall Greenwood said.

County Clerk Patricia Fournier has written to leaders in all 14 communities of the county, inviting them to attend the Wednesday meeting. It is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at the county building and open to the public.

The commission is expected to present details of the plan. A vote on the plan has been tentatively scheduled for March 21. However, he declined to say which way the three are leaning.

Commissioners have been trying to wrap up the issue, which has often pitted Lewiston and Auburn against the smaller towns. The cities pay a majority of the dispatch costs despite the fact that they have their own call center to fund.

This year, with Sheriff’s Department leaders insisting that equipment needs replacing, the matter has become a top priority.

Over three weeks, commissioners toured the county facilities, Lewiston-Auburn’s dispatch center and a center operated by the town of Lisbon. All are possible sites for the county’s work. 

Currently, the county center serves as the 911 answering point for 12 of the county’s 14 municipalities.

A plan by Commissioner Elaine Makas would send that job back to the individual towns to contract with one of Maine’s 25 other Public Safety Answering Points. By only dispatching to its own staff, the county would save in personnel and equipment costs, she said.

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