Council Approves Resolution of Support for Shared Dispatch

The Common Council unanimously approved a resolution expressing its support for a joint dispatch center with New Providence and Berkeley Heights.

The resolution, while not a formal commitment, allows the committee comprised of police and fire chiefs and administrators, to prepare a final report on the project and begin investigating funding options.

"We believe now is the time to act on a hared regional dispatch center," said City Administrator Chris Cotter.

Cotter reiterated that the timing of the project couldn't be better since both the police and fire departments will need to upgrade their dispatching equipment in 2011 anyway. The governing bodies of Berkeley Heights and New Providence have already passes similar resolutions.

"Everyone keeps talking about shared services. This is really where we need to go," said Councilman Michael Vernotico. "We're not going to save any money by not doing this."

Cotter said the target date to have this new center up and running would be fall of 2011. The three towns have already received a $1 million grant from the federal government for the project through Congressman Leonard Lance.

"If we're really serious about shared services, this is a no brainer for our community," Mayor Jordan Glatt said.

While Cotter said the project stands to provide better service for all three communities by providing one point of contact for all emergency services, the total cost savings is not yet known but should be "substantial."

"I think this is just a win-win for us in Summit as well as the other two communities," Vernotico said.