Failing Equipment Drives Oxford’s Radio Request

OXFORD, CT — A $724,000 upgrade to Oxford’s aging radio system will go before a town meeting Oct. 21, after fire officials described failing equipment and difficulty finding replacement parts.

The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Oxford Senior Center, 10 Old Church Road, according to the official town meeting notice. The request would be paid from the General Fund.

The Board of Finance unanimously advanced the request Sept. 28. Fire Chief Scott Pelletier told the board the system is more than 20 years old and supports the Fire Department, Public Works, emergency medical services and Board of Education, according to the meeting minutes.

Pelletier said one receiver had failed earlier this year, and finding parts to keep the system operating was becoming difficult.

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What The Upgrade Would Do

The project would replace copper connections with fiber-optic connections. Pelletier said Public Works relies on the system throughout the day, and the upgraded equipment should last more than 20 years, according to the finance-board minutes.

As Patch previously reported, fire officials have also discussed giving dispatchers the ability to see which receiver sites are in use and disable a problem site remotely. That process had to be handled manually.

The Sept. 28 minutes record unanimous board support for the spending request and do not document residents speaking for or against it.

The Oct. 21 town meeting notice also includes separate requests for $39,748.72 for town counsel and $70,104.57 for the Police Department, both from the General Fund balance.

For more Northern Connecticut news, follow Patch editor Jay Kenney.