Some of the first lessons we try to teach children are the same ones Connecticut has failed to learn.

Lessons about cooperation, empathy and resolving conflicts. Think of Connecticut as a massive sandbox and consider how well each of our 169 towns play along with one another.

If we were shaping Connecticut out of sand in 2024, the result would look nothing like its current version. We are a balkanized state of fiefdoms. Towns cling fiercely to their identities and resist sharing with one another, resulting in some incredibly affluent small towns colliding with cities that have been stifled for generations.

It has been about a century since Connecticut erased county governments. Since the mid-20th century, state officials have been reliably resistant to the theory of “regionalization.” Only a few of Connecticut’s smallest towns have — out of necessity — married the likes of their schools and public health services.

We are not a better state for any of this. It just fuels inefficiencies.

Gov. Ned Lamont is now trying to blur some of the municipal lines that have defined government operations since the 1800s. He promoted proposed legislation Thursday that aims to eliminate the obstacles that often prevent towns from sharing staff and services. Typically, these hurdles come in the form of unions and local charters.

Lamont already has the support of the Council of Small Towns and the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM).

“This bill has a provision in it that just simply says you can’t bargain away service sharing,” CCM Executive Director Joe DeLong said. “You can’t bargain away the ability to help your neighbor.”

As DeLong suggests, this could be a simple solution to a stubborn problem. Lamont seems to have figured out that a key to shepherding this legislation through is to design it as offering possibilities rather than mandates. So some — perhaps many — towns will continue to cling to that tired bromide of “home rule.” Others will realize the benefits of being able to decrease property taxes.

There are a lot of small potential benefits to towns sharing resources. In addition to cost savings, sharing Human Resources staff can, for example, prevent potential conflicts of interest. And it seems as though we’ve been hearing for decades about cities falling behind on building inspections due to a lack of staff.

But success will come if towns become more open to considering ways to share public safety resources, education expertise and – dare we say it – expansion of affordable housing in underutilized regions.

The plan invites unions to the party by offering them the chance to form coalitions. Some Republicans are already voicing support for the concept, which insiders say has been brewing for at least seven years. It would be an ideal initiative to invite bipartisan support.

We are, after all, better neighbors when we work together on common goals. And like the kids in the sandbox, Connecticut has to eventually grow up and have more mature relationships.

— Hearst Connecticut Media