Episode 3 – The Invisible Blue Line

08/30/22 • 51 min

Potholes & Politics: Local Maine Issues from A to Z

Episode 3 – The Invisible Blue Line
Episode 3 of Potholes & Politics examines a vital state and local partnership, “the invisible blue line”, in which state law enforcement support the operations of local police departments. Examining the cooperation between state law enforcement and local officials to safely host “Maine Day” in Orono highlights when and how this partnership works and why it is needed and available not only in times of crisis. The episode features officials from the Town of Orono, Orono Police Department and Maine State Police. Stick around at the end for the municipal good news story, fall agricultural fairs, and a convention announcement.

Episode Breakdown

00.05 – Welcome from Nick Kimball, MMA Underwriting Technician

01.10 – Introduction to the Invisible Blue Line

08.15 – Interview with:

Sophie Wilson, Town Manager of Orono

Dan Merrill, Chief of Orono Police Department

Scott Gosselin, Major, Support Services, Maine State Police

Darren Foster, Sargent of Maine State Police

Bill Ross, Major, Operations Division, Maine State Police

John Cote, Colonel of Maine State Police

44.10 – Host Wrap up to Invisible Blue Line

47.15 – MMA Convention Announcement

48:40 – Municipal Good News: Agricultural Fairs

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Episode Breakdown

00.05 – Welcome from Nick Kimball, MMA Underwriting Technician

01.10 – Introduction to the Invisible Blue Line

08.15 – Interview with:

Sophie Wilson, Town Manager of Orono

Dan Merrill, Chief of Orono Police Department

Scott Gosselin, Major, Support Services, Maine State Police

Darren Foster, Sargent of Maine State Police

Bill Ross, Major, Operations Division, Maine State Police

John Cote, Colonel of Maine State Police

44.10 – Host Wrap up to Invisible Blue Line

47.15 – MMA Convention Announcement

48:40 – Municipal Good News: Agricultural Fairs

Previous Episode

Episode 2 - MMA 101 – What is MMA and What do They Do?

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Episode 2 - MMA 101 – What is MMA and What do They Do?

Episode 2 of Potholes & Politics offers listeners an overview of the Maine Municipal Association, our services, governance structures, and plans for enhanced support of municipalities as they face unprecedented challenges. This episode will be good to revisit for new listeners who may want to understand the function and purpose of MMA, and the many services available to our nearly 500 member municipalities.

Episode breakdown:

00:00 - Opening Introduction by front desk Ambassador Jo-Ann Larino-Greves.

7:00 - Introduction to available services by Neal Goldberg and Rebecca Graham.

8:05 - Introduction to Risk Management by Member Services Supervisor, Marcus Ballou.

13:00 - Interview with Director of Educational Services, Peter Osborne covering MMA’s training offerings, Annual Convention, and the future.

30:50 - Introduction to Legal Services and the unique free advice municipalities receive from Staff Attorney, Breana Gerson.

39:29 - Interview with past MMA President, Linda Cohen on the Association’s Legislative Policy Committee, and municipal officials from across the state working together for the betterment of all communities.

52:30 - Municipal Good News Picks of the Pod.

Episode Facts and Corrections:

First “Town Meeting”: In 1654, at what is now called Thwing’s Point in Woolwich (previously Dresden Mills), residents met at the house of Thomas Ashley to elect local officials and for general public purpose (Plymouth Colony Court Records pg. 57-61).

Maine Municipal Employees Health Trust (MMEHT): To clarify, MMEHT is not a healthcare provider, rather the Trust provides health insurance plans.

Next Episode

Episode 4 - How We Get There From Here: Step 1

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Episode 4 - How We Get There From Here: Step 1
Join us as we “drive” around the topic of Maine’s road. In the course of three interviews, Episode 4 travels from the Town of Jackman, through Augusta to chat with MDOT, all the way south to Town of Gray.

In Jackman we explore the local reality of maintaining a network of roads. The conversation covers state-local partnerships, the budget crunch for public works departments, and a local hero who came to the rescue to save drivers from a 163-mile detour.

In Augusta we meet with MDOT to hear about the Community Services Division, road inventories and classifications, local road assistance program (LRAP), local road plans and the fallacy of “worst first.”

Finally, we stop in Gray to dissect the pesky issue of private roads its intersection with the environmental responsibilities of local governments. This episode will be part of ongoing dives into road related issues so...stay tuned!

Episode Breakdown

03:50 – Town of Jackman, Public Works Director Doug Worster and Town Manager Cheryl Nadeau

21:00 – Peter Coughlan, Director of MDOT Community Services Division and Planning Board member in the Town of Randolph

47:25 – Nate Rudy, Town Manager of Gray

1:07:45 – Municipal Good News: “Celebrate” MMA’s upcoming convention
Corrections and Clarifications
49:55 - The budget for plowing private roads in Gray was originally estimated at $300K per year, however that cost is actually closer to $150K per year.