Adams Emergency Responders Say Dispatch Has Improved
ADAMS, Mass. — Emergency responders agree that the outsourced dispatching service has improved after initial complaints about communication and procedure.
Adams Ambulance Service Manager Michael Gleason and Fire Chief Paul Goyette told the Selectmen on Wednesday during public comment that after a few meetings and tweaks to the system, the new dispatch service through the Berkshire County sheriff's office has improved.
"We have had some good conversations and I feel like we are heading down the right path," Gleason said. "We have made some changes, some have been policy and procedural changes, and we made some short-term equipment changes ... and I feel very positive about the way we made out."
The switch is expected to save up to $100,000 a year. But emergency responders have been leery of the changeover and, once completed, found there were serious issues with communication, radios and preferred protocol.
Earlier this month, emergency services representatives told the Selectmen a tragedy was likely to happen because of failures with the new service. That prompted a meeting between emergency responders and representatives from the sheriff's office last week.
Gleason said once another tower is installed on Florida Mountain, communication will greatly improve, but for the time being things are moving in the right direction.
Goyette agreed and said the people of Adams are safe.
"We are moving in the right direction, and ... it is just like anything else, it is something new and bugs need to be worked out," Goyette said. "We continue to work on it and the community is safe."
Town Administrator Tony Mazzucco said the town has received quotes for two repeaters for the Fire Department and ambulance service to improve communications. He said 911 grants will pay for the repeaters and that they should be installed in a few weeks.
In other business, the Selectmen accepted an intermunicipal agreement with Dalton that would allow Adams to share its building inspector services with that town.
"Dalton has been great to work with, and we have been able to help them out," Mazzucco said. "We are looking forward to more regionalization. I know everyone asks when are going to regionalize more and this is a great example."
The building inspector has informally been taking cases in Dalton over the past few weeks and Dalton has also recently accepted an agreement with Adams.
Mazzucco said Adams will have to increase the building inspector's salary and bring on an on-call inspector for the higher volume of cases. He said they may also have to bring on some part-time staff.
Despite the new expenses, the town should gain $8,000 to $9,000 a year. This added with New Ashford, which also uses the Adams building inspector, will make for a total gain of nearly $10,000.
Mazzucco said the agreement was written so if one the towns backs out, Adams does not incur any extra costs. Adams is open to taking on more communities.
• The Selectmen also officially adopted the state's Complete Streets program.
A few weeks ago, officials had discussed applying for the state Department of Transportation's program that awards qualifying communities funds to improve streets, sidewalks and intersections to better transportation for all travel modes.
The town anticipates using the possible funds to improve the southern Route 8 corridor.
• The Selectmen voted to table a facility use request for Bowe Field for a Harvest Festival planned for Oct. 22 from noon to 4. The board members felt they needed more information before approving the event. Also, final approval will be contingent upon the Agricultural Fair Commission's approval since it leases the field from the town.
"I just don't like to OK something that just says Harvest Festival because I don't really know what that is," Selectman Joseph Nowak said. "I certainly don't want to be an impediment towards it but I would just like more insight what will be taking place."
The Selectmen will ask to hear from event organizers in the near future.
• Brian Bishop was appointed to an open seat on the Conservation Commission after submitting a letter of interest.
Tags: building inspector, complete streets, dispatchers, emergency services,
