Ron Clark, chairman of the Police Commission, expressed his concern about "desperately needed" upgrades in communication required by the Police Department.

Mr. Clark told Voices that police officers have trouble communicating with the existing system and called it "obsolete" and "unsafe."

Consultant Peter Oliver, principal of Oliver Associates, a telecommunications consulting firm in Orange, said the basic infrastructure of the communication system consists of transmitters, towers, radios, mobile vehicles and portables which officers wear on their hips.

Mr. Oliver said public safety communication is a safety issue for officers and fire fighters, noting it is the only form of communication these personnel have with their centers.

Police Chief Richard Guisti said the police department considered upgrading the existing radio system, which operates on a low-band frequency, three years ago by installing a high-band system. He said officers still faced interference issues.

Mr. Oliver said the existing low-band equipment has been discontinued for several years.

"We have to go to a high-band system only because of the technology that's out there now," Chief Guisti said.

Acknowledging the cost involved, the chief said, "I know it's not the best of times, but the safety of my officers comes foremost."

Chief Guisti gave examples of the existing system failing to work during a public event such as a recent road race. He said he was unable to communicate with his officers or headquarters.

Neither portables or cell phones worked during the event and he had to run back and forth several times to facilitate communication.

The communication system also failed to operate effectively during a recent fatal motor vehicle accident on Route 63.

Chief Guisti said he had to drive back and forth to relay information from one group of officers to another because the officers were unable to communicate.

Chief Guisti gave another example when an officer could not receive a call on his portable and received the message from personnel of the public works department.

Chief Guisti said he is not an expert on the technicalities of communications and immediately consulted with Mr. Oliver.

Mr. Oliver said he has helped police departments in Woodbury, Southbury and Monroe upgrade their communications systems and has work in progress with Watertown and Milford.

He told selectmen that by 2013 police departments will not have a choice and will have to switch from low-band frequencies to a better alternative.

He said public safety agencies that have not upgraded their systems in the last 20 years will also have to do so.

According to Chief Guisti, the police department have been operating on low-band frequencies since the department was established in 1973.

He addressed the misconception many people have that the system was upgraded 15 years ago.

"We are operating with the same system. We just expanded the communication [within the system]."

Mr. Oliver said the upgrade is estimated at $2.476 million and Motorola is "the lowest qualified bidder."

According to Mr. Oliver, two 80-foot high towers would be erected at the Middlebury Police Department and Breakneck Hill. Two transmitting sites will facilitate communication between officers and dispatch centers.

Selectman Elaine Strobel asked what Mr. Oliver meant when he said the "lowest qualified bidder." She said she expected anyone who bids will automatically be qualified.

She also asked if Mr. Oliver was in anyway associated with Motorola.

Mr. Oliver said they only received one bid that met the department's specifications. He also said he has no affiliations with Motorola or any other vendor.

Ms. Strobel expressed concern about the estimated cost.

Mr. Oliver said Wolcott paid about $3 for its communication upgrades.

Ms. Strobel noted Wolcott is larger than Middlebury.

Mr. Oliver said the size of the town is not a major factor. Middlebury's topography and other elements contribute to the cost. He said Clinton, a smaller town than Middlebury, recently signed a $3.5 million contract for its new communication system.

First Selectman Tom Gormley said he sat on the subcommittee and there was another bidder at the time.

Chief Guisti told Voices the other bidder did not file the RFP required by the police department.

Mr. Oliver said nation-wide public safety standards are at 95 percent of coverage, 95 percent of the time. He said he did not feel the existing system serves even close to 50-50 and the problem exacerbates inside buildings.

Noting the fire department upgraded its system last year, Mr. Oliver said the fire department would be in tune with improved police coverage so that fire, public works and police departments could all share the coverage on the same transmitting sites.

Mr. Gormley said helping Middlebury residents understand the need for a communications upgrade for the police department "is going to be a big marketing job."

Ms. Strobel asked what the difference was between high, low and narrow band.

Mr. Oliver said low band transmission is at 50kHz [kilo hertz}, high band is at 150kHz, VHF and UHF are the next steps up.

Resident Richard Dews asked why the town cannot use ultra high frequencies in the 400kHz range.

Mr. Oliver explained higher frequencies are not always easily available and interference can still be an issue. According to Mr. Oliver, a higher frequency means increased infrastructure to get the required coverage.

Resident John Cookson asked about the life expectancy of the communication system and whether it will need further upgrades in the future.

Mr. Oliver said the basic communication towers have a life expectancy of about 20 years with maintenance requirements. The systems in vehicles and portables, according to Mr. Oliver, have a life expectancy of about five to ten years, due to wear and tear.

Robert Krzys, the general counsel for local Service Employees International Union, representing the police union, spoke in favor of the upgrade. He said union members filed a grievance regarding the faulty communication system.

The grievance was filed on June 18 by Officer Al Cronin, the chapter president.

Selectmen unanimously approved the communication upgrade.

"Time and technology is catching up with us," Chief Guisti said. "I know which way I want to go and I know which way I want to go with the police department."

"The security of our police officers, fire and ambulance personnel is important to me," Mr. Gormley said. "I'm not going to put anybody in jeopardy.

"We're in desperate times, and in desperate times, desperate people do desperate things."

Mr. Gormley told Voices he has asked the Board of Finance to put the communication upgrade on the agenda for the board's Wednesday, August 5, meeting.

Mr. Gormley said if the Board of Finance approves the communication system upgrade, the issue will go to a public hearing, followed by a referendum.

The Board of Selectmen also approved a $30,000 JAG state grant for the Middlebury Police Department.

According to Chief Guisti, all towns qualify for certain funding to aid law enforcement. Larger towns like Hartford, New Haven and Bridgeport, qualify for grants of up to $100,000.

Chief Guisti said this funding can only be used for law enforcement.

He said the department is dealing with an aging computer system, in constant need of repairs.

Chief Guisti told Voices the servers which hold more than 100,000 records, estimated to be about eight years' worth of information, have crashed twice.

He said there are a total of four computers in the Middlebury Police Department; 11 officers have access to one computer. He said the department receives an average of 11,000 to 14,000 calls a year.

"When the economy's bad, we're busy," he said.

Chief Guisti told Voices he wants to use the state funding to purchase three more computers which are reliable, faster and can hold more data.

He is also looking to purchase equipment which comes with a five-year warranty, use the existing server as a back-up and replace it with a new server, build up the department's website, thereby helping both residents and staff save money.

Chief Guisti said he will put permit forms for pistols, vending, alarm registration, out-of-town forms and others on the department's website so that residents can download forms at home and mail them back.

"This way we can be in the 21st century," he said.

Selectmen also approved a mutual aid agreement between Middlebury and other towns.

This agreement is the police department's official agreement with other towns' police departments to assist when needed and receive assistance.

Mr. Gormley said the forms have been reviewed and approved by Town Counsel Stephen Savarese.

Ms. Strobel said she had not seen the forms and was willing to take a look.

Chief Guisti said it is the same standard agreement as before. He said the police department has been updating its rules and regulations and wanted these agreements renewed too.

He said the agreement with Southbury is 14 years-old; the agreement with Waterbury is nine years-old. Language, statutes and names of those who previously signed the documents have changed considerably, the chief noted.

The board unanimously approved the agreement.

The Board of Selectmen will next meet Monday, August 3, at Town Hall.