DOSSIER PHOTO: Lynn Erazmus, Fairfield Emergency Dispatcher, works at a screen bank at the Emergency Communications Center.
DOSSIER PHOTO: Maria Lobo, Fairfield Emergency Dispatcher, in paintings in the city’s emergency communications center, in the basement of the police department.
FAIRFIELD – The city-Westport distribution association is still ongoing, but will charge about $1. 1 million more than planned.
The allocation is now expected to charge approximately $4 million, compared to the initial $2. 9 million. Construction is largely due to generation and a new location, said Jared Schmidt, Fairfield’s CHIEF Financial Officer.
Selectmen’s Fairfield Board approved construction at its assembly this week.
“It’s an economy for us,” Schmidt told the selectors.
The new emergency communications center is designed to save cash in Westport and Fairfield while reaction times and service are expected to be operational until August 1, Westport Police Lt. David Wolf said.
However, the original plans were to use what was once an office center, and requires little renovation, on GE’s old site in what is now owned by Sacred Heart University, but this site will be changed to a new ice rink.
This meant moving the new dispatch center to a location below the library, Fairfield Police Captain John Bucherati said, so more paintings were needed to accommodate the center.
“We had to start from scratch, ” said Bucherati.
Some of the technological elements come with a fiber optic cable, call recording systems, radios, hardware and PC software.
According to the agreement, Fairfield and Westport divided capital prices equally, while operating prices were divided between population and volume of appeals. This means Fairfield assumes 2/3 of the operating budget and Westport covers the other third.
“The news is that the state is fulfilling its commitment and expanding its commitment,” Schmidt said, adding that the state is now giving $300,000 according to the city. “The state is committed to helping and encouraging the creation of the new multi-city center for a total of $600,000. “
The two cities are now guilty of $1. 7 million of the center’s project, about $508,000 more than the previous plan.
Westport will also have to approve the increase, but Wolf said he would be on the schedule for the next finance board.
“The partnership with Westport is strong,” Schmidt said.
Fairfield and Westport began working at this association several years ago when any of the cities sought to modernize their emergency communications centers.
“As Westport’s communications apparatus began to age and needed to be replaced in the near future, this is an opportune time to mix resources with our neighboring community,” Said Westport Police Chief Foti Koskinas. “In addition, the Mixed Communications Center will save Westport Taxpayers and provide fair service to the respective communities.
Through this partnership, Westport facilities can simply answer Fairfield’s calls and vice versa, depending on who is closest, reducing processing time and reaction to calls, Bucherati said.
Other cities are also joining the center, which will lower Westport and Fairfield prices.
“As they arrive, they will see our overall monetary situation,” Schmidt said.
Bucherati said they couldn’t take everyone because of the space, but said one city was definitely interested and another talked about joining the association.
These other municipalities would cover some of the prices under a maximum formula probably similar to the volume of calls and the population, however, would be considered as customers, not components, and therefore would not be part of the guiding element of the center. This is done through a committee composed of the police and chimney bosses of Fairfield and Westport or their representatives.
The state also provides subsidies as cities come together.
kkoerting@newstimes. com