Counties axe proposed joint radio network project

nnSDG – While originally pitched as a collaborative plan between SD&G and the six lower-tier municipalities, County Council voted November 18th to not proceed with a $2 million joint-radio communications project.nnDiscussions began back in January 2019 about a plan to refit a county-owned communications tower for a new radio system for SDG roads crews and public works.nnThat plan, in discussion with the fire chiefs of the six municipal fire services, identified the potential for fire and emergency services to run on the same system.nnSDG Counties IT director Mike St. Onge said there was a benefit to investing in common radio and paging infrastructure throughout the counties.nnThe initial planning for the project identified dead zones for equipment coverage, and the current and future needs of the six fire services.nnBut the plan could not find enough support around the council table.nn“I appreciate the report that outlines some of the struggles and challenges we have, but we are looking at a lot of money being asked for at the Counties level,” said councillor Tony Fraser.nnFraser said that North Dundas had needed upgrades to its fire department communications equipment and worked with a telephone company and the dispatch services provider to get a system that worked for them.nn“We spent a fraction of what the consultants said,” Fraser said.nn“North Glengarry is in the process of upgrading equipment as we speak,” said councillor Carma Williams. “Talking to our fire chief and the Warden, we don’t see a need to invest in this project.”nn“This is an opportunity for us to work together and save money,” councillor Steven Byvelds said.nnHe went on to say that if County Council said no, then South Dundas council will investigate what is needed in that municipality.nnAccording to St. Onge’s report to council, both tower and radio infrastructure are listed as a future need.nn“We need to make sure that our firefighters have the communications equipment they need to do the job they need to do,” Byvelds said.nn“I understand that money is money. If County Council can’t unify on this issue on its own, then we kill the project and go on our own separate little ways again.”nnCouncil voted in a split decision, five votes for, six votes against, continuing the joint radio project.nnAfter the meeting, Byvelds said he was frustrated with the outcome of the joint radio project.nn“You look at our strategic meeting it was about working together on big projects,” Byvelds said. “This is not working together.”nnHe added that he was worried that other large county projects, like the upcoming discussion of a SDG waste management plan, would see a similar fate.nnWith the radio project quashed at the county level, Byvelds said South Dundas will start moving forward on its own project, beginning at the November 18th municipal council meeting.