Resolve, To Establish a Second Public Safety Answering Point for Kennebec County

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  the Public Utilities Commission's rules governing the E-9-1-1 system require that no more than one public safety answering point be supported in Kennebec County as of October 1, 2007, and the commission has stated its intent to make a determination on the consolidation of public safety answering points in Kennebec County after March 1, 2007; and

Whereas,  the Waterville Communications Center presently serves as the public safety answering point for northern Kennebec County; and

Whereas,  the City of Waterville is concerned that a single public safety answering point for Kennebec County will result in higher costs and diminished service for the residents of northern Kennebec County; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore, be it

Sec. 1. Public safety answering points in Kennebec County. Resolved: That the Public Utilities Commission shall amend the rules governing the statewide enhanced 9-1-1 system to require 2 public safety answering points in Kennebec County, one of which must be located in Waterville.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.

summary

This resolve requires the Public Utilities Commission to amend the rules for the E-9-1-1 system to require 2 public safety answering points in Kennebec County and require that one of those points be located in Waterville. Under current rules, there may be no more than one public safety answering point in Kennebec County.