A July 29 front page headline of The Post-Journal titled “Towns Proposing Merged Courts ” in regard to a possible shared services initiative between two towns begs consideration of a larger merger scenario.

Why stop with only certain services? Perhaps what should instead be considered should be the merging of town governments? We’ve heard about towns sharing police services, assessor services and now court services. The merging of towns should also be considered.

There are 27 towns in Chautauqua County. Although probably appropriate years ago when travel was not as convenient and electronic communication did not exist, is it appropriate today to have such duplication of expenses and services? In a highly taxed county do the citizens still need to pay for 27 town supervisors, 27 town clerks, 27 town boards, 27 highway supervisors, 27 town halls and numerous other 27 expenses? Reducing these numbers is where the real savings will occur. The discussion and analysis needs to occur.

As a resident of the Town of Ellery, I observe that the demographics of the towns of Chautauqua and North Harmony are not that different from those of Ellery. Indeed, Ellery and North Harmony already have the same county legislator. It seems that there could be a significant savings opportunity should those three towns become one.

Town mergers should not continue to be exempt from the discussion.

Douglas Conroe resides in Maple Springs and has earned a master of public administration degree along with having held elective and officer roles as a village trustee and as a school board member