from the Athol Daily news:

PHILLIPSTON — State 911 Department Executive Director Frank Pozniak has urged Phillipston and Templeton to work together to update their agreement for dispatch services.

At a meeting held earlier this week in the fire safety complex, Pozniak also tried to get at the crux of the matter of a letter signed by the Phillipston Selectmen March 26 and sent to the Templeton Selectmen, giving notice that Phillipston would be exploring all of its options for dispatch services over the next year. The joint meeting to discuss dispatch was scheduled by Selectboard Chairman Thomas Brouillet before the letter was sent.

The letter stated in part, “The town is looking at its options of whether to continue its 20-plus-year relationship with Templeton, or relocate to another dispatch center over the next year.”

That got the attention of State 911, which is in charge of emergency services across the state.

Pozniak said, “There are 239 PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point) departments and we run regionalization programs across the Commonwealth.”

He acknowledged there was some talk about Phillipston moving away from Templeton, and talking with Athol about dispatch services.

“We’re trying to close PSAPs,” said Pozniak. “This wouldn’t be doing that.”

Selectman John Telepciak said the letter stemmed from frustration in delay of the town’s multiple requests to get a complete breakdown of dispatch costs, which Templeton Police Chief Bennett said he worked on himself and sent to both town administrators.

Telepciak said, “We’re in regionalization with Templeton. The first step is to find out where we are, where the money’s going and what our share will be.”

The Fiscal Year 2019 assessment for dispatch services shows an increase of $2,500, bringing it to $62,500.

Phillipston Fire Chief Richard Stevens said he reached out to State 911 to get information on the assessments, grant programs and other options for the town.

Stevens said, “We’re a small town. We have a seasonal influx of population at the campground and during large functions at the Red Apple Farm. We’re always looking at costs in relation to the level of service. The pricing started to move up.”

The cost for the current year is $60,000. The assessment in 2017 was $54,000. The agreement automatically renews every four years. It spells out a dispute resolution, but no committee structure or oversight is in place.

Stevens said the last time Phillipston had a “voice” in dispatch matters was 1997.

“We’re trying to see what model will work,” he said. “Police talk police. Fire talk fire. They don’t get in the same box.”

Pozniak said small towns’ dispatch is typically run out of the police department, with oversight by the chief. He said that they could add a requirement to the updated agreement to include committee oversight, if agreed upon.

Stevens alluded to a “change in service,” but would not elaborate when pressed, saying it was something “I won’t discuss in this venue.”

Pozniak said the two towns should “look over the agreement and have meetings to hammer out what the assessment should look like. Then contact 911 and we’ll see what we can do to help.”

Templeton Police Chief Michael Bennett said there are two options in the FY19 agreement: $61,000 without Connect TY and $62,500 with Connect TY. Bennett said Templeton dispatch currently uses Code Red, which allows only six emergency messages per year at a cost of $6,200 a year. He found Connect TY, and for an additional $1,800 per year, will provide unlimited public service messages. Code Red and Connect TY are the Reverse 911 calls to residents.

Bennett said in 2016 that Templeton sent a notification to Phillipston there would be an increase.

He noted, “The cost of a single full-time dispatcher is $67,000 a year with benefits.”  

Pozniak referred to a copy of the 4-year agreement, dated 2010, that showed an assessment of $54,000. It stated Phillipston would assume the cost of a full-time dispatcher at $25,000. No one at the meeting could produce a more recent copy of a contract, which automatically renews every four years.