BROCTON - Trustees for the Village of Brocton resolved to enter into compliance with FCC regulations of radio systems for its fire department's use of fire police radios.
With a published deadline of Jan. 1, 2013, the FCC is mandating the reduction of bandwidth, or narrow banding, of these types of radio broadcast systems. To prepare for that deadline, the Brocton Fire Department has been working to obtain quotes in order to replace the outdated communications and department representative Brian Woleben presented the board with detailed quotes during a recent board of trustees meeting.
"Just to clarify, ours (equipment) is 10 to 12 years old and these pagers and radios are our primary method to activate a response," stated Mayor Dave Hazelton.
Although the Jan. 1 deadline was communicated to the fire department, the mayor indicated he has received word from the county level that the deadline may have some flexibility.
Despite the deadline date, Woleben gave his recommendation to the board adding, "This is what we need to be compliant right now. The quote of $10,047 from Eagle Radio has installs figured into it, but the dollar amount would decrease if we don't need any installation performed."
Village Attorney, Sam Drayo confirmed to the board that competitive bidding dollar amounts have recently been raised to the $15,000-to-$20,000 range, and that competitive bids from other vendors were not required in this instance.
Trustee Art Donovan initiated the motion to purchase the pager and radio equipment from Eagle Radio, adding, "It's definitely important to update our communications."
In other matters, the board advised Streets Supervisor Tom Allen to look into obtaining radio read water meters offered to them by the City of Dunkirk.
He and Electric Lineman Joe Majkowski were also authorized by the board to assist the village of Cassadaga with a shared service request.
Allen reminds residents that although snow has remained a non-issue, overnight winter parking hours in the village began on November 1 and will remain in effect through April 1. Winter parking hours are set so that proper snow removal can be done on village roadways and sidewalks.
The board authorized a side lot variance forwarded by the Zoning Board of Appeals as well as manufactured home request forwarded by the Planning Board.
The mayor concluded the meeting by asking Drayo to look into specifics of drafting a new local law regarding garbage containment within the village.
Noting that neighbor-to-neighbor dumpster container complaints are "common," Drayo added "I will check into it. These are sometimes not easy ordinances, because sometimes people just don't have room on their property to place a dumpster."
While the mayor noted he did not wish to serve as a mediator between neighbors who complain about next door properties, use of dumpsters, he indicated he would like to see something in place before summer to quell or alleviate many of the complaints that he heard over the past summer.
The board will not meet again until after the first of the year, as its next meeting date falls close to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The next meeting date is set for Jan. 2 at 7 p.m.
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