Groton–– Some town councilors, in the midst of difficult budget deliberations, have begun to discuss the concept of consolidating government functions as a savings to taxpayers.

“You will have efficiencies if you have one police department instead of three. It's no bargain for the people in the city to pay more for police protection,” Councilor John C. Wirzbicki said. “We have gold-plated fire departments and a brass school system. That's just not right. I think it's about time we start looking at this sort of thing.”

The town has a handful of departments for police, parks and recreation, and highways, and a half-dozen fire districts.

But exploring consolidation may be an exercise in futility, Mayor Frank O'Beirne Jr. said. Consolidation has never gotten anywhere in Groton.

Two of the fire districts in town straddle Groton and Stonington and three of the fire districts provide additional services, fire officials said.

Consolidation would require voters within the specific districts and boroughs to give up their autonomy for the sake of a unified town department, O'Beirne said. “Until (they) hurt enough in their wallet,” it won't happen.

Any consolidation also would require the state's approval. That can be difficult. A controversial bill to consolidate three fire districts in West Haven hasn't gotten anywhere.

Groton city Mayor Dennis L. Popp, who heads one of Groton's two boroughs, pointed out that city voters have the prerogative of their own departments.

“That's up to us,” Popp said. “Unless the city takes over the town there won't be any consolidation.... We need to look at sharing services to save money for taxpayers.”

Noank Fire District Commission Chairman Frank J. Socha agreed consolidation won't happen in the near future. “Most people like having the fire districts and firehouses in the neighborhood,” he said.

Nevertheless, Councilor Thomas J. Skrmetti asked the rest of his colleagues to consider a recommendation from the Plan of Conservation & Development to enhance government efficiency by reducing duplication of services.

Wirzbicki first raised the issue of consolidating police departments last year.

Jeffery A. Vary, chairman of the Poquonnock Bridge Fire District Committee, supports the concept of consolidation into one town fire department, but he doesn't support forcing fire districts to do so.

The plan of development and its supporting documents show that compared to eight similar towns –– Milford, East Hartford, Stratford, Enfield, Middletown, Wallingford, Southington and Shelton –– Groton residents “may be spending as much as $8 million more per year than residents of other communities.”

“It is pretty clear that the taxpayers in Groton pay more money for the luxury of having at least nine separate governments rather than a fewer number,” the plan's supporting documents said.

Socha said no one has presented an alternative to the current situation, which he said works well in Noank. If the issue of consolidation came up for consideration today, he said he would be against it.

“Until I see what the alternative would be, I don't know how one can say it would save money. It sounds like it would (save money) but there is no meat to the argument,” Socha said.

Popp also questioned the numbers.

g.alcedo@theday.com