Gilford's county conversation opens old wounds.

GILFORD - The discussion about the future role of county government as it relates to assisting local government opened an old wound Wednesday night when the conversation turned to rationalizing police dispatch.

After Commissioner Edward Philpot (D-Laconia) finished talking about ways county government could save local government money, Town Administrator Scott Dunn recalls his community's request in January to have the sheriff's department assume dispatch duties for the midnight shift for the town's police.

"It's like moving to a school district and having them tell you we can't take your kids," Dunn said of the county's negative reaction.

"No," said Philpot. "It's, we can't take your kids, now."

County Sheriff Craig Wiggin, who was not at Wednesday's selectman's meeting, had responded to Gilford's request by saying his department was not staffed or equipped to pick up Gilford's shift at that time and that the assumption of those duties would require some preparation before it could happen.

He also said his department didn't include Gilford in its 2010 operating budget.

Gilford Selectmen responded by asking for $93,000 back from the county. The board also asked for some kind of fee structure that would charge the communities that use the sheriff's office for dispatch.

Wednesday's conversation revolved around what Philpot said was a desire to know what services the towns, including police dispatch, would like to see provide and then plan and possibly budget accordingly.

"It doesn't make a lot of sense to put energy into a non-starter," Philpot said noting that because of Gilford's request, Wiggin had begun discussing dispatch with area police chiefs.

Selectboard Chair Kevin Hayes wanted to know how far the discussions had gone and whether or not "the process is being dogged by the powers that be."

"I admit it could use a kick in the pants," Philpot said. "But the question is, is there an efficiency here?"

Currently, Gilford and Laconia Police Departments do all of their own dispatching. Gilford employs four full-time and one part-time dispatcher and their duties involve more than dispatching squad cars.

Selectman John O'Brien said he would like to see more detailed plans about all possible regionalization and consolidation.

"Has anyone done any cost studies yet?" O'Brien asked.

"Not yet," Philpot said. "We still have to shape the table."

One place where Gilford and the county appear to see eye-to-eye is getting more budget information from the outside agencies who make annual requests for contributions from taxpayers.

According to Rep. Kate Miller (D-Meredith) who was one of a number of state representatives who attended Wednesday's meeting, the county delegation, made up of the 18 Belknap County representatives, has formed a subcommittee to create a standard form that all outside agencies would need to complete to secure county funding. She said the subcommittee would share their final product with the town.