Old Town to trade local dispatch services for regional

OLD TOWN – The emergency dispatch service for police, fire and ambulance services in the Old Town area no longer will be handled from the local dispatch center at the Old Town Police Department.

The Old Town City Council decided Monday that 911 emergency calls now would be put through to the Penobscot Regional Communications Center on Franklin Street in Bangor.

After news about the Georgia-Pacific Corp. laying off half of its millworkers on Friday, which in turn will eventually cut the tax revenues the city will receive, the decision became more black and white.

“That certainly changed everything,” said Police Chief Don O’Halloran. “Now we basically make the changes as quickly as possible and get on with business.”

Dispatch services will be switched over to the regional center sometime between now and July 1.

The decision will not eliminate dispatch services from the town; it will just reduce the number of hours services will be available. The office will be open during regular hours Monday through Friday.

Because the office will not be open 24 hours a day, an emergency phone will be located outside the building, which will be a direct line to the regional dispatch center.

The town currently employs four full-time dispatchers, which will now be cut back to two.

“You can never get as good as your own,” said Councilor Gary Sirois. “I also know what’s facing us. … I had a hard time with this even before Friday. It’s probably not the best but it is a service and it’s working. I hope regional will take a look at our concerns. This isn’t an easy decision.”

The total dispatch budget is $215,000. With the cuts, the city will save between $90,000 and $100,000. With the changeover, Old Town now will have to share a radio frequency with Orono.

Councilor Alan Stormann and Mayor Alan Reynolds voted against the change and tried to postpone the agenda item until the council was closer to completing the budget.

“I think if we’re going to eliminate dispatch we should give the employees as much notice as possible,” said Councilor Scott Cates before the final vote.