OLD ORCHARD BEACH — Sanford will begin handling emergency dispatch services for the town in April.
The Town Council Tuesday night voted unanimously, with Councilor Shawn O’Neill absent, to approve a contract to outsource its emergency dispatch and Public Safety Answering Point services to Sanford.
The Town Council had decided last year to pursue outsourcing its emergency dispatch center as a way to save money. Initially, it considered the neighboring town of Scarborough to take on its emergency dispatch services, as Scarborough currently functions as Old Orchard Beach’s PSAP, answering the town’s emergency 911 calls.
Since then, however, the state has proposed a plan for emergency dispatch and PSAP consolidation that would require the town to consolidate within York County. Scarborough is in Cumberland County. Also, under the proposed state plan, Sanford could become the only emergency dispatch center in York County.
The annual savings in outsourcing the dispatch center to Sanford is estimated to be about $135,000 a year, according to councilors. The first year, savings would be reduced, as the town would have to pay about $124,000 for initial start up costs for new technology.
The town will enter a five-year contract with Sanford, and the cost of the agreement cannot increase more than 3 percent annually, according to council discussion.
“I definitely see this as a big chunk of money that we can save,” said Town Manager Jack Turcotte.
Councilor Sharri MacDonald said outsourcing the town’s dispatch center wasn’t an easy decision for her, as she does not typically agree with consolidation. However, since the police and fire chiefs have voiced their support for the plan, she said she would support it as well.
The dispatch center in Sanford provides service to more than 10 municipalities and the York County Sheriff’s office, according to councilors.
Councilor Robin Dayton said she is very confident in Sanford’s ability to conduct emergency dispatch services.
“Sanford has a lot of expertise with this type of consolidation,” said Dayton.
Dayton also said that Sanford’s dispatch center will be able to keep up with technological advances much better than a small dispatch center like the one in Old Orchard Beach.
— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.
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