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Date: 3/10/2021
SOUTHWICK – After submitting a letter of interest to join WESTCOMM regional dispatch at a previous meeting, the Southwick Select Board approved a second letter of interest with Westfield to potentially set up a regional dispatch service with their neighbor city.
To start the second regional dispatch location discussion, Fire Chief Russ Anderson said that Westfield reached out to them about investigating the regional dispatch partnership.
“Westfield had requested we look at them as a different option for the regional study. We have since had a couple meetings with them. The problem is moving forward requires a letter like we did with WESTCOMM so they can apply for the grants,” he said.
Police Chief Kevin Bishop said it was perfectly legal to submit the second letter of interest.
“We verified some points that we can be listed on both grant applications without any type of penalties, it’s completely legal for us to be on both boards,” he said.
Select Board Chair Doug Moglin said it made sense to team up with Westfield since the city is a close ally to Southwick.
“This is a great idea to put us in a position to talk to Westfield a little more about working together. Westfield is a key ally as our neighbor to the north, we do Mutual Aid together and right now our fire department covers the south end of their town right now with their bridge being busted,” he said.
With some concerns still lingering over joining WESTCOMM, Moglin said he did not see a reason to not sign the second letter of interest.
“WESTCOMM has a very strong proposal in front of us but there are still some concerns that are being worked on, perhaps this is something that will spur them to sweeten the pot, but we do not know. There’s no real downside at this juncture, I see no reason why we shouldn’t enter at least a letter of interest to enable Westfield to be able to submit an application for some grant funding,” he said.
Select Board Vice Chair Joe Deedy said joining up with Westfield could solve some of the problems Southwick faces as a single seat dispatch center.
“I think this is a better melting pot for us right now. I think this would be a great stepping stone to maybe band aid us up a little bit where we probably need it because I personally think you need a way to have two people,” he said.
The board unanimously agreed to submit the letter of interest to Westfield.
During the meeting, the board also approved a new sewer abatement policy for when residents fill a pool for the first time and agreed to create a resolution against internet data caps imposed by Comcast.