Because of problems with Cayuga County's communication system, broadcast signals don't always get to emergency responders. That could lead to dangerous situations, and officials are looking to fix it, with a high price tag.
To upgrade the system, the county wants to spend about 23-million dollars, which would hike property taxes 6.87% over the next twelve years. Of all the people who came out to a meeting Monday night wanting to know more, most were firefighters who know and use the current one system first-hand.
About 100 people came out to hear the details on the most expensive public works project in Cayuga County's history. The 23-million dollar system would enhance communication between the county's 911 center and first responders in the field. Some claim the one they use now simply isn't efficient, saying there are dead zones in which their hand held devices won't work, which could leave them or others stranded. "From the time you call to get a helicopter coming it could take seconds to minutes to communicate to a 911 center where sometimes you need to use a cell phone because you just don't have the coverage with the radio system," says Longhill Fire Chief Steve Fedrizzi.
Neighbors are concerned with the dollar amount attached to a new system, and Motorola representatives say on top of that, there will also be an additional 5 to 8 percent annual fee just to maintain it. Some say it's too much. " We're talking 5 to 8 percent annual maintenance for the system which on a 20 million dollar project is 1 million bucks a year," says Bob Ingham, from the Town of Victory.
Officials say any real move on is still several months off. When a decision is made on a final proposal, it will go before the County Legislature for a final vote. They hope to have that happen within a year.
