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Cumberland approves Motorola radio upgrade after federal earmark; council notes $19,976 shortfall
Summary
The Cumberland Town Council on Jan. 15 approved two resolutions to contract with Motorola Solutions for a digital radio upgrade for public safety, financed primarily by a federal earmark; officials said vendor negotiations and a possible general-fund gap of $19,976 remain to be resolved.
The Cumberland Town Council on Jan. 15 approved two resolutions authorizing Mayor Jeffrey J. Mudda to enter contracts with Motorola Solutions for a digital overhaul of the town's public-safety radio system — $592,221.24 for portables and vehicle radios and $558,330 for console upgrades — by unanimous vote, 5-0.
The upgrades follow a federal congressional earmark awarded in 2024 that covers the bulk of the work. The town's chief of police described the project as a move from an analog system to an 800-megahertz digital system that will encrypt communications and improve coverage and interoperability with regional agencies.
Why it matters: Councilors and staff said the upgrade addresses long-standing gaps in police radio coverage and modernizes dispatch consoles. The project would replace portable radios carried by officers and cruiser radios, update the dispatch consoles at headquarters and add accessories such as chargers and spare batteries. Officials said the work will make communications more secure and improve reception inside buildings where the current analog system underperforms.
Details and timeline The town's chief of police told the council the department is "one of the few agencies in our region, if not our state, that is still on an analog system," and compared the new equipment to more up-to-date consumer technologies. He said the radios will operate on the Rhode Island RiskCon 800-megahertz digital system and include features such as encrypted voice and Wi-Fi tethering to improve in-building coverage.
The project is presented as two linked procurements: the radios and accessories for officers and vehicles, and the console replacement at the police headquarters. When the final vendor quotes arrived the total exceeded the grant amount by $19,976. Cybercom, the town's integrator, has committed to continue negotiating with Motorola to reduce or eliminate that overage but cannot guarantee success, officials said.
Funding and fiscal considerations Mayor Jeffrey J. Mudda told the council the town expects to use the federal earmark — the mayor said it was awarded earlier in 2024 through the congressional delegation — to fund most of the work. He also said a fiscal note is attached to at least one of the resolutions; if the final price exceeds grant funds, the town would have to account for the overage from the general fund or another local funding source. The chief estimated a minimum delivery and installation timeline of six to nine months, and said production timelines had shortened since the grant was written.
Council action and next steps Councilor Bolio moved approval of the radio equipment resolution and Councilor Shaw seconded; the council approved that measure 5-0. Councilors also approved the console-upgrade resolution 5-0. Following approval, officials said the town will place the order and Cybercom will pursue further price negotiations with Motorola. Staff cautioned that final costs and an exact delivery date remain contingent on vendor scheduling and negotiation outcomes.
What was not decided Council discussion and the adopted resolutions do not identify an exact delivery date nor a final source to cover any remaining overage if negotiations fail; officials said those items will be determined as quotes are finalized and, if necessary, during upcoming budget work.
The council approved both resolutions by roll call vote, 5-0; the chief and the mayor described the technical and funding context during the Jan. 15 meeting.
