“We are the one red blotch in the area surrounded by green blotches,” said Fritz referring to a map of towns in Middlesex County.

The absence of higher frequency band radio systems for use by the town's police, fire, school, highway, and government emergency staff will soon change, thanks to a committee whose job it was to remedy the situation.

There are two reasons to switch from a low band or lower frequency to a higher frequency band or UHF system according to committee member Kenneth Archer, who is the radio engineer for the Clinton Volunteer Fire Department (CVFD).

First, the purpose of going to a higher frequency band is to increase the communication among hand-held radios, vehicle-based radios, and the base station.

“The noise generated by computers and power lines makes it more difficult to communicate on a low band frequency,” said Archer.

In addition, a state mandate from the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security is now forcing communities to go UHF by 2009, which is mandatory, said Fritz.

Implementing the use of UHF radio systems, if done properly, will also help to eliminate a majority of the “dead spots” in town due to hills and valleys, said Archer. The ability to communicate with surrounding communities is also essential to the safety of residents and emergency personnel.

The committee is comprised of Archer; Selectman Arthur Isaacson; Paul Jakubson, a Clinton resident and chief of police in Madison; Brian Manware, assistant chief of the CVFD; Major Todd Lawrie with the Clinton Police Department; William Comeau of the Board of Police Commissioners; and Bradford Sullivan of the Board of Finance. Through several meetings, they brainstormed and arrived at a list of requirements that were necessary in the switch to a higher frequency band.

“We need a system that is upgradeable to digital, has its own reliable back-up of power, and is operable at any three control points in town,” said Archer.

The committee interviewed three consulting companies, arriving at a determination that Oliver Associates of Orange was the best suited to the town's needs.

In three phases, Oliver Associates recommended a plan of action to upgrade the existing equipment. Phase I would involve a needs assessment.

“Phase II of the project would consist of the design of the system and a Request for Proposal that would be drawn up by the consultant that would be put out to bid,” said Archer.

Phase III would consist of building the equipment, the installation, and final testing.

A contract from Oliver Associates was presented to the Board of Selectmen at its March 7 meeting. The contract is for Phase I of the plan and costs $13,800.

Fritz said the funds for Phase I would come out of the communications budget. The contract was turned over to town attorney John Bennet for his review.