Politics & Government
Township Weighing Options for Dispatch System
Of three options, township is more likely to enter tri-town agreement or manage its own system.
The Berkeley Heights Township Council, in conjunction with the township’s police department, fire department, and first aid squad, is inching closer to a decision on whether or not to modify its dispatch system
According to Councilman Robert Woodruff, the township has three choices: it can either take part in a tri-town dispatch system with Summit and New Providence, become a part of the Union County dispatch system, or continue to maintain its own system within the township.
Township officials were expected to meet on Wednesday to discuss the possibility of a tri-town system with the other two willing townships, though a lot of work would remain if that particular system is adopted.
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“What we don’t have from them yet is dollar figure or timeframe,” said Woodruff. “A lot will have to be done by December 31 or January 1 to meet various requirements.”
At this time, the township does not rule out the possibility of moving over to the county dispatch system, but says such a move is unlikely, due to the lack of control over rising costs that the township would then have.
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“The consensus of the group is that the county situation is least favorable to this town, to this department, and the consensus is that we have very little control over that circumstance,” said Woodruff. “This county has shown proclivity to spend money, and opportunity to control that would be lost.”
Whatever the township decides to do, the hope is that it is done quickly; Woodruff emphasized that “time is of the essence” on this project, and that he would like to see some serious progress made on this by mid-November.
Berkeley Heights Chief of Police Michael Mathis is in agreement, citing that radio system failures have jeopardized timely response to and the safety of not only residents within the township, but also of the town’s police, fire, and emergency personnel.
“Control does play a role in my decision, but it’s about providing the right service to the community,” said Mathis. “It’s a big concern of my own. We have had many crashes on the radio system over this past year.”