A consultant says Hanover and West Grey could save a lot of money if they amalgamated their police services.
At a special meeting called by West Grey Council and attended by Hanover councillors, consultant Mike Mitchell presented his report saying amalgamation is feasible.
He says there would be an overall savings of $650,000 a year in policing costs after amalgamation. That would come mainly by having four fewer front line police officers through attrition, not layoffs, as well as efficiencies of scale in administration.
Even so, he adds police services would not be compromised under the plan.
Hanover Mayor Sue Paterson says the idea makes sense.
"We are in a time that we need to share services and this is one way that both municipalities can work together and save some money," says Paterson.
West Grey mayor Kevin Eccles is somewhat more reserved in his assessment. He says there are all kinds of details yet to be worked out.
"Council here has got to be able to digest the information and be able to assess the information and disseminate it and be able to come up with what's correct for West Grey," says Eccles.
On the down side, neither police headquarters in Hanover and West Grey are adequate to house a combined police force. The building in Hanover could conceivably be added on to; or a whole new building could be built for about $4-million.
It's now up to Hanover and West Grey councils whether to agree with the plan in principle and proceed to the next steps.
