Hillsborough residents tuning their radios
to 1610 AM won’t hear the latest hits,
but they may be able to avoid a few collisions.
By: Laura Toto
The station is used to supply information to the public during emergencies and traffic situations, including road closings, dangerous conditions and school closings.
"What prompted the radio station was Hurricane Floyd," Mayor Joseph Tricarico said. "People lost power and we couldn’t get information to them."
He added the decision to begin broadcasting was made about a year ago.
Hillsborough police Capt. Robert Roscoe said the station cost about $13,000 to start, but will not cost the township to maintain. The format is not an actual person broadcasting live, but a recording, he said.
Mayor Tricarico said $5,000 of the money was taken from the emergency management budget and $8,000 was taken from the capital budget for a new transmitter. The money was set aside after Hurricane Floyd by former Mayor Glenn van Lier and the Township Committee.
The station benefits the public by getting much needed information out during emergencies, he said.
"On a daily basis we will be able to put basic information about road travel construction, traffic and emergency closings," he noted.
The radio station is being kept at the firehouse on Route 206 because, according to Lt. David Delatour, it offered the best reception for most of the township.
The signal is provided by a digital transmitter, about the size of two school lockers, and does not get in the way down at the firehouse.
While the station is not for public use, Lt. Delatour said, he promised there won’t be any commercials or general announcements broadcast.