Fanwood approves dispatch extension with Union County, citing equipment grant for radios

Fanwood Borough Council approved an extension of its shared dispatching agreement with Union County to align the borough’s contract period with a county public-safety grant that will deliver new portable radios to participating municipalities.

Council moved Resolution 2023-01-38 to extend the shared-service agreement for dispatching services for a 10-year term. Council members said the extension was requested so Union County could match the grant application period; the grant would supply radios and related equipment to the borough at no direct equipment cost. Council members said the package would include at least “half a dozen” portable radios for borough use and that the agreement preserves existing terms while extending the period. The meeting transcript records the fee as stated in the motion as “$94,21.34” (transcript formatting unclear) for the first year and a 2 percent increase in each additional year of the 10-year term.

Council discussed that the extension would allow the borough to obtain free equipment through Union County’s grant application; the terms of service (including opt-outs) were described as unchanged except for the extended period. The council approved the resolution on a roll-call vote with all voting members present recorded as affirmative.

What’s next: Borough staff will coordinate with Union County to receive the radios and finalize implementation details; questions about whether rescue squads or other local volunteers are covered by the equipment distribution were raised and will be followed up by staff.