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Date of Meeting: Monday, January 14, 2011
Location: Town Hall, 221 Main Street
Time: 3:00 PM– 3:50 PM
Members Present: Chairman James Stanton; Roger Deal; Ken Sydow;
Others Present: Joseph Flanagan, Fire Chief; Tony Sahagian, Police Chief; Nancy Colbert Puff, Town Administrator; Lori Esposito, Administrative Assistant; others as listed on sign-in sheet.
Regional Dispatch Proposal Tom Kokerrnak, Lieutenant with the Sterling Fire Department appeared before the Board. A brief discussion was held regarding the Regional Dispatch research/study. He applied for a $50K feasibility study and received a grant.
- Tom Kennedy (CTC, Westborough) discussed study findings. The Committee went on field trips to regional centers and saw that every center had a unique approach to providing dispatching services. He compiled research and data by consultants and provided a report.
- Regionalization is feasible; it offers cost savings as well as improved, more efficient service.
- The Committee had been working with Rutland and then was approached by Worcester for a potential center.
Dave Clemons (Worcester Director of Communications/Energy Management Director) also appeared before the Board.
- Leicester was the first to show interest; they own a facility in Worcester near the airport. It is necessary to put out a bid to customize/build the interior.
- The Center currently has 70 employees.
- They provide individualized models, with agreements, for each town to meet their concerns/needs.
- The cost is a percentage of whatever the impact/additional component at the regional center that Boylston has. Ancillary duties cannot all be done by the Center.
- Roger asked if all communities are involved in the cost of renovations. Mr. Clemons said they were not. Worcester received a 911 Grant which can be used toward 64% of the building renovations. The City took a loan to cover the balance of the renovations.
- Jim asked if there would be operators dedicated for Boylston (i.e., always the same people). Mr. Clemons said a seven digit phone number for Boylston is assigned to the dispatcher for Boylston. The 9-1-1 dial goes to the call-taker at the center and then goes to the dispatcher. This provides a higher level of service.
- Roger asked if there is a comparable response time to our current dispatch system. Mr. Clemons said he is not sure how it would be any different. The same systems are used, they are just dispatching remotely.
- Dispatchers will soon be required by the State to get EMD certification (Emergency Medical Dispatch), which requires them to offer medical instruction to 9-1-1 callers while help is being dispatched. This is in place now but not yet mandated. All regional center callers will have this certification.
- Jim asked how Highway, Water and Light Dept. calls would be handled. Mr. Clemons said they answer the calls but don’t record or log them.
- Ken asked how the community covers the cost of dispatchers. Mr. Clemons said the community will pay for the cost of personnel assigned to them. The cost will depend on what Boylston wants done at the Center (ancillary duties, etc.).
- Ken said, if we agreed to the first year, who reviews/revises subsequent-year costs? Mr. Clemons said all public information is used to determine costs (utilities, number of calls, etc.). They then come up with the total funding needed for each community.
- Ken asked Tony where the Highway, Water and Light calls are taken care of after hours. Tony said they come into dispatch and they then make notifications, as needed. Joe said Fire Department calls are not forwarded and monitored at all.
- Ken asked what the timing is to join the program. Mr. Clemons said right now they are still building the Center, according to what communities want to join. Additional renovation costs go to the towns (e.g., furniture, phone lines, etc.).
- Jim asked, if we decided within 60 days we want to join, when we would be able to start. Mr. Clemons said the Town could start any time within the second month after the Center goes live.
- Jim asked when they were going live. Mr. Clemons said in late August, early September.
- Ancillary costs can’t be figured until a system survey is completed, which will be hired out next week to a contractor.
- Participating in the survey were Leicester, Princeton and Spencer. A brief discussion was held about regional grants available. None readily available to update the radio system from low-band.
- Mr. Clemons suggested Boylston determine what needs they will have. After the system study is complete (approximately one month or so) they will provide cost estimates for the Town.
The Board of Selectmen will take the matter under advisement.
Upon a motion to adjourn made by Roger Deal and seconded by Ken Sydow and voted all in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 3:50 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori Esposito, Administrative Assistant
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