The East Greenwich Town Council convened on November 25, 2024, to discuss significant upgrades to the town's technology and public safety communication systems. The meeting focused on two main agenda items: the approval of a Nutanix system upgrade and the initiation of a public safety communications upgrade project.

The first item addressed was the proposal to award a bid to E Plus Technology for the Nutanix system upgrade, totaling $148,005.24. This upgrade is funded through the town's existing capital improvement plan. The IT department highlighted that the new system would streamline operations and enhance data backup capabilities, ensuring that critical information is securely stored both locally and in the cloud. The council unanimously approved the motion, indicating strong support for the initiative.

Following this, the council discussed the public safety communications upgrade project. The proposal included awarding a bid to Cybercom of Warwick and Motorola Solutions of Chicago for phase one of the project, amounting to $892,499.20. This phase aims to modernize the town's outdated communication systems, which have been in use for over 20 years. The funding for this project will come from the American Rescue Plan, town bond funding, and the public safety communications capital reserve fund.

The IT department, along with the emergency management agency, has been collaborating with local police, fire, and public works departments to develop a comprehensive plan for the upgrade. The project will be executed in multiple phases, with the first phase focusing on acquiring new radios. Future phases will address infrastructure improvements and enhancements to dispatch centers.

Council members expressed their commitment to ensuring that the town's public safety systems are equipped with the latest technology to meet operational needs effectively. The total estimated cost for the entire project is projected to be around $2 million, with ongoing efforts to secure additional funding through grants and appropriations.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the council's proactive approach to upgrading essential technology and communication systems, reflecting a commitment to enhancing public safety and operational efficiency in East Greenwich. The council plans to continue monitoring the progress of these initiatives and explore further funding opportunities to complete the project in the coming years.