NORWAY — Selectmen, police officers and residents agreed Thursday night that consolidating the Norway and Paris police departments is the most efficient and cost-effective way to provide better service to both towns.

Town Manager David Holt said that although “sharing between communities can be difficult,” he is still hopeful that the merger will take place. “I believe that it’s necessary.”

Holt said combining police departments is more about improving services, rather than saving money.

Despite Paris’ decision to delay the merger, Holt said the proposal will still be on the June 12 ballot. He said the feedback from citizens could possibly help the towns decide whether to go forth with the proposal.

He also said that a one-year trial will give both departments the opportunity try the merger and identify any problems.

Norway Chief Robert Federico said he and Paris Chief David Verrier “are in agreement that, in order to continue to serve the people … in the same capacity that we are today — or even better — this is probably the most efficient way to do that without raising any more money.”

“I think we really need this,” said Sgt. Jim Ventresca, who’s been a full-time Norway officer for 12 years. He said that, over the years, more responsibilities have been put on the officers, not to mention the department is “short-staffed.”

The merger, he said, will increase the level of services, especially during peak times (1 p.m. to 1 a.m.). It would also give officers the ability to respond to calls in a more timely manner.

According to Paris police Lt. Michael Dailey, 80 percent of the Paris Police Department is in favor of the merger. “I think we need to get past making a decision on a personal level, and focus on the logistics from an operational standpoint,” he said.

“We have to forget about this identity thing. If you are a Norway resident, you can’t live your daily life without doing some type of business in Paris, and vice-versa,” he said.

Norway resident Sandy Smith said because the towns back each other quite a bit already, she can’t foresee the merger being a problem.

“This could be a great model for the rest of the state,” Selectman Russ Newcomb said.

If the police merger takes place, Dailey said it would be the first in the state.

Officer Stephen Cronce pointed out that law enforcement, after all, “is about bettering yourself. And by merging, you are bettering both communities,” he said.

Cronce, a taxpayer in Paris, believes that if the chiefs in both towns approve, so should everyone else. Personally, he said, “I think it’s a great idea.”

“If the chief says, ‘Hey, that’s a good idea,’ the whole community should be behind him, saying, ‘Yeah, let’s do it,'” he said.

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