Bridgewater Moves Ahead With $4.2M Bond For Emergency Radio System

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — The Township Council introduced a $4.205 million bond ordinance for an emergency radio communications system at its June 25 meeting.

According to the ordinance, the project covers the "acquisition and installation of emergency radio communications system, including all work and materials necessary therefor and incidental thereto."

The ordinance lists a 10-year average period of usefulness for the improvement.

The funding plan includes a $210,250 down payment already available through previously adopted budgets.

The ordinance also says the township’s gross debt would increase by $3,994,750 through the authorized bonds and notes, and that the obligation would be backed by the township’s full faith and credit.

During public comment and council discussion, speakers said the radio upgrade is tied to a county requirement and a Dec. 31 deadline.

"This is a mandate forced on us by Somerset County," said Councilman Timothy Ring. "Every municipality in Somerset County that uses Somerset County for dispatch is obligated to do this."

Ring confirmed the equipment would cover police, emergency management, fire districts, ambulance squads and public works.

The new radios issued would follow the specifications issued by Somerset County using Motorola, as it is the only vendor currently supported on the county system.

"I've been involved in EMS for 35-plus years, and Motorola has been the number one radio vendor for a radio manufacturer for just as long if not longer," said Ring.

Council members said they want more information before the July 9 vote and public hearing, including how radios will be distributed, whether programming costs are included, what agreements will govern agencies receiving equipment, and how fire districts that already bought some radios will be treated.

"We really have virtually no choice but to approve this because of the timeline, but there are a lot of open and outstanding questions," said Councilman Michael Kirsh.

Council President Joan Geiger noted that while the Council has to upgrade the radios as mandated, "it is also because the current radios - there is interference sometimes."

"Without getting too technical, what the county is doing is they currently have a radio system that operates, and just think of like AMFM radios, satellite radios. They're in the 4 to 500 series band that they're operating on and there can be interference with TV and other stations operating in that," said Ring.

"Somerset County is retiring their radio system and using space moving forward on the state system, which operates on the seven and 800 band. So all the existing radios, the four 500 radios," continued Ring. It's like having an FM radio in your hand, and you're trying to listen to an AM station or vice versa. So that's what's necessitating this."

Residents and former local officials spoke in support of the purchase.

Former Councilman Allen Kurdyla, who serves as a fire commissioner, thanked the council for considering the ordinance "to allow our emergency service personnel to have the proper tools and capabilities to service every resident of Bridgewater at 46,000 people."

Robert Albano, who serves on the Martinsville Rescue Squad, also expressed his support for the ordinance and thanked the Township for its support.

"Without [the radios], we will no longer be able to respond. And without the support of the township, we don't have the money to buy them. So, I'm here to support you. Martinsville will work with you all in whatever you need. We have been talking about this for about a year. We are committed to using the radios and training and whatever we need to do to make it happen," said Albano.

The final vote on the ordinance and public hearing will be held at the July 9 Council meeting.

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