Lewiston residents had their say Thursday night on whether their city should merge with neighboring Auburn.
At a public hearing at Lewiston Middle School, supporters of the initiative said that the Lewiston-Auburn merger would improve efficiency and spur economic development. But opponents worried about the hidden costs of consolidation.
Tina Hutchinson, a member of a focus group tasked with how to combine the schools, believes the merger would hurt taxpayers. She said she considered all sides with an open mind but soon concluded that restructuring the school district would be a logistical nightmare.
"Build new schools? That's going to cost money. New staff? That's going to cost money," she said. "Having two separate high schools, with kids having a choice. What about transportation costs?"
But Claire Gavin, who was born in Lewiston and returned to the city after raising a family in Lexington, Mass., said change is difficult but necessary. She said she fears a lack of opportunities is forcing young professionals to relocate, like she did, and believes collaboration is the best way forward.
"It's always kind of fearful to do something new, and everybody has hesitations," Gavin said. "Yeah, I worry, too. I am 75, I pay taxes but... yeah... but we've got to start thinking outside the box, working together, and I am going to vote for the merger."
The public hearing at Lewiston Middle School drew around 50 people - about half the turnout at a similar hearing in Auburn last month - and Lewiston's mayor and several council members did not attend.
This is the fourth time over the past couple of decades that a Lewiston-Auburn merger has been considered. Residents will vote on the measure Nov. 7.