Milltown council to vote on emergency radio repairs
Ordinance long overdue, says one councilman
MILLTOWN — Councilman Gerard Cappella introduced an ordinance during the Oct. 23 Borough Council meeting that would allow for improvements to the borough’s emergency radio system.
Richard Twomey, an engineer and volunteer in East Brunswick’s Fire District 1, offered Milltown Fire Chief Joel Carasso his services in evaluating the borough’s communications system free of charge.
"Twomey is both a friend and fellow firefighter who is familiar with the problems we’ve been having," said Carasso in a recent statement.
Flaws in the current system include reports of high-pitched static on the radio when near buildings housing electronic devices, and overcrowding on the frequency.
Since taking office last year, Councilman Cappella has made the borough’s emergency radio system one of his top priorities.
"The inadequacy and unreliability of the system is a point that has been repeatedly made by Chief Carasso over the years," said Cappella. "But in the last year alone, the system has proved to be an even greater threat to our volunteers."
During a structure fire on Feb. 2, flaws in the communications system were responsible for a fireman outside the building being unable to communicate with those inside.
"It was an extremely dangerous situation that luckily did not get any worse," said Cappella.
"We cannot put a price on the safety of our volunteers," he added.
All Milltown fire and rescue squad members are volunteers.
The bond ordinance will be introduced at the Nov. 13 council meeting. If approved, the borough would be allowed to finance as much as $50,000 toward the cost of repairs.
"I would like to see the repairs started as soon as possible," said Cappella, "hopefully, seeing the project completed within one to two months after that."
Twomey recently assessed the condition of the system and compiled a report with comments and suggestions on how to improve it, which he submitted to the borough.
In the report, Twomey wrote, "The amount of radio traffic on the municipal frequency is nothing short of abominable. Emergency workers have a difficult, if not impossible, job discerning what is emergency traffic and what is business or pleasure-boat traffic."
Once the repairs are completed, all portable phones used by police, fire and rescue squad members will experience better service in all areas.
"This is long overdue," said Cappella. "And while I am glad to see it finally happening, I am still a bit disappointed it took so long."
Earlier in the year, borough officials considered an offer from East Brunswick to rent space on their new communications system; however, the cost to do so would have exceeded $800,000.
East Brunswick officials were looking to offset the cost of their $3 million upgrade by offering surrounding communities the chance to share frequencies. So far, South River has taken the township up on their offer.
While new radio frequencies are said to be hard to get, Sayreville has agreed to let Milltown test out its new system on one of their old frequencies for the time being.
"This is really the best solution for the borough," concluded Cappella. "It is not only the most cost-effective, but the fastest way to put an end to this dangerous problem."

