Westport eyes regionalization
By JENNIFER CONNIC
Hour Staff Writer
WESTPORT -- The Representative Town Meeting's Long-Range Planning Committee is looking for ways that town officials can work with surrounding communities in a better, regionalized system.
The committee met earlier this week to discuss how to find ways to cooperate with other communities in purchasing equipment or providing services.
Jack Klinge, RTM District 7 and committee chairman, said the committee had received a number of letters from town department directors describing places they already were regionalized or things they hoped to do in the future.
"I noticed that (Fire Chief) Denis McCarthy said budget concerns keep him from doing more," he said.
Moderator Gordon Joseloff, RTM District 8 and committee member, said in the near future the emergency services will need a communications equipment upgrade, and that is an area that could be regionalized.
There is some differing opinion between police and fire officials, however, on regional dispatch centers, he said.
Police officials are concerned that a barking dog in Westport would not get the same attention as a prowler in Norwalk if there is a regional dispatch, he said.
Another area the committee could examine for regionalization is with Geographic Information Systems, which is a computer system that maps information from all properties in town, he said.
"GIS is a big ticket item to come," he said. "Why does every town need their own when the plane will fly over the entire area? I know (fire department officials) are eager, but perhaps GIS is easier to push." Klinge said the committee may be able to help town officials determine a game plan to pull together a plan for regionalization in certain areas.
Deputy Moderator Alice Shelton, RTM District 2 and committee member, said the committee also needs to ask what the RTM can do to help push forward regionalized plans.
The committee intends to bring in Southwestern Regional Planning Agency representatives to talk about regionalization.
Jennifer Connic covers Westport and Weston. She can be reached at (203) 354-1043 or at westport@thehour.com.The Hour
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