ELIZABETHTOWN — With only two out of 18 members opposed, the Essex County Board of Supervisors voted Monday to pay up to $10 million for a new county public-safety radio system.
After a sometimes emotional meeting, in which local fire chiefs testified lives could be lost if the county's 1950s-era radio system failed completely, supervisors agreed to issue municipal serial bonds to pay for the project.
BOND TOTAL
County Manager Daniel Palmer said the system itself is expected to cost about $8 million, and he added a 12-percent contingency addition that brings it to $9.2 million.
The bond issue would be for a maximum of $10 million, he said.
Citing tough economic times, Supervisors Thomas Scozzafava (R-Moriah) and Roby Politi (R-North Elba) voted against the $10 million.
The project was approved, 16-2, and Palmer said the next step is hiring a civil engineering firm to do site surveys at radio towers where the county wants to locate antennas.
The project won't build any new radio towers but will add antennas to several existing mountaintop towers that the County Enhanced 911 center can use to dispatch emergency responders.
DANGER CITED
Before they voted, the Board of Supervisors heard from emergency volunteers from around the county on what they thought of the project.
Chilson Fire Chief Fred Hunsdon said he and Ticonderoga Fire Chief Jeff Burns both support a new radio system.
"We really need a radio system in Essex County. We're going to lose lives if something isn't done," Hunsdon said.
Numerous failures
County Emergency Services Director Donald Jaquish said the current system has had 61 network failures in three years.
"The thing is tired. It actually still works with tubes."
Many parts of the system are failing, he said.
"It will not be able to be repaired someday," Jaquish said. "We've actually gone on eBay to look for parts for this. We're buying parts from parts barns."
HAND RADIOS
Mineville-Witherbee Fire Chief Paul Tromblee said a new radio system is needed, but he wants hand-held radios added to the specifications. The county is now buying only vehicle radios for fire companies and ambulance groups.
"It gets into want versus need," Supervisor Randy Preston (I-Wilmington) said. "There was concern some departments were going to say, 'we need 25 portables.'"
Preston said they may buy three portables for every department.
HARD TIMES
Tromblee said that, as a taxpayer, he has concerns about the cost of the system.
"Are we in a (fiscal) position at this time to go forward with it?"
Supervisor Joyce Morency (R-St. Armand) said new revenues, such as local mortgage and property-transfer taxes, will bring additional funds into the county budget.
And Palmer said he believes they can still get federal stimulus-package money for the project.
Scozzafava said they should take more time to consider the purchase.
"To me, this came rushing in here like a freight train. Why is it critical? These are the worst economic times since the (Great) Depression. I think we need to step back, take a deep breath, maybe have a couple more meetings on this issue."
"I know the economy is not great, but we're not paying for it next year," Supervisor Ronald Jackson (R-Essex) said. "We're paying for it the next 20, 25 years. The interest rates have never been lower."
After a recess, lawmakers OK'd the radio system, which is estimated to take two years to build.
"It's time to more forward," Palmer said. "An awful lot of time and effort has been put into getting where we are now."
E-mail Lohr McKinstry at: lmckinstry@pressrepublican.com
Local News
Essex County OKs $10 million for radios
- Breaking News
-
-
Westport fire guts home
Teens escape early morning fire, but cats likely perished.
-
Town hiring notice causes confusion
The Town of Malone's attempt to contract with an administrator for a business-loan program may not have followed state-grant guidelines.
-
Westport fire guts home
- New Today
-
-
Saranac Lake restaurant to reopen Saturday
Asian Buffet Hibachi and Sushi has been closed since a sprinkler system malfunctioned Dec. 19, 2011.
-
Saranac Lake restaurant to reopen Saturday
- Local News
-
-
Fair-share payment puzzles some child-care providers
Plattsburgh meeting to address concerns of area child care providers being hit with a fee for union representation even though they never joined the union.
-
Essex County craves sales-tax hike
The extra ¼ percent would bring total sales tax to 8 percent, like neighboring counties.
-
Ernie's Market closes without warning
A sign on the door of the popular Westport store expresses appreciation "to all of our loyal customers."
-
Boy released from hospital following serious injury
Firefighters had to extricate 10-year-old Dawson Dessureault from a car involved in a crash Friday, Feb. 3.
-
Dissolution study hits a snag
The departure of staff gathering information for Malone's government-efficiency committee will delay the information sharing for a few weeks.
-
Council: state budget cuts threaten Adirondacks
Adirondack Council calls for an immediate increase in the state's Environmental Protection Fund and in EnCon staffing.
-
Elizabethtown wastewater plans updated
It is expected that it will take about six months to have the necessary paperwork filed, get permits, receive responses from the property owners to determine hookup locations and get easements.
-
Fort Ti brings in more money
Donations at the national historic landmark increased by 12 percent last year.
-
Saranac Lake sparkles
The Winter Carnival continues through Sunday.
-
Of Interest: Feb. 8, 2012
Clinton Co. Sheriff's Office investigating lost restaurant money; Peruvian arrested at Champlain border.
-
Seniors click toward computer literacy
The Clinton County Senior Computer Club is a great way for seniors to learn computer basics at the Senior Center.
- February 7, 2012
-
Fair-share payment puzzles some child-care providers
The 2 percent deduction from Social Services stipends helps pay for advocacy efforts by the Voice of Organized Independent Child Care Educators. A meeting in Plattsburgh on Thursday will address that issue and others.
-
Dissolution study hits a snag
The departure of staff gathering information for Malone's government-efficiency committee will delay the information sharing for a few weeks.
-
New Essex County courtroom has security issues
There's no line of sight between the judge's bench and the witness stand, so renovations must be made.
-
Meeting of the minds on fake pot
Students were among those who spoke up at a session in Essex County, helping to make a plan to combat the dangers of synthetic marijuana.
-
State considers bobcat management plan
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is seeking public comments on a plan that will help officials adjust hunting and trapping seasons for the species statewide.
-
Two displaced in Westville fire
A woodstove is likely the cause of a blaze that left a farmhouse a total loss, just months after being purchased by an engaged couple.
-
Report: Power project to create many jobs
Champlain Hudson Power Express project is also expected to increase New York state's gross domestic product.
-
Fair-share payment puzzles some child-care providers
- Recent Article Comments
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Romney Congratulates Santorum, Focuses on Obama
Paul Says Results Help Him Rack Up Delegates
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Raw Video: Giants Celebrate Another Super Bowl
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Greek Leaders Seek Deal As Bankruptcy Looms
Bernanke: Recovery Depends on Consumer Spending
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Eastwood in Super Bowl Ad 'Compassionate'
Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay
Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
