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Weathersfield council approves 15‑year upgrade to L3 Harris radio system amid cost concerns
Summary
After public comment and extended debate, the council authorized a 15‑year network upgrade and maintenance agreement for the town's L3 Harris public‑safety radio system (proposed annual cost ~ $879,000); supporters cited responder safety and obsolescence risk, while commenters and some councilors pressed for greater transparency on price and maintenance fees.
The Weathersfield Town Council on March 2 voted to authorize the town manager to execute a 15‑year network upgrade and maintenance agreement for the town’s L3 Harris public‑safety radio system, after public comment flagged the proposal’s cost and a lengthy council discussion weighing operational need against fiscal impact.
Deputy Mayor Roach moved the authorization and the motion was seconded (motion opened at the March 2 meeting). Town staff and system lead Bob Keller told the council the combined annual cost for the lease and maintenance under the proposed agreement is about $879,000 — roughly $130,000–$135,000 more than the town’s recent peak annual payment on the older system. Keller said negotiations cut about $70,000 annually from SUMS/patching costs and that Eastern Communications is taking on risk to lock pricing while providing ongoing upgrades over the 15‑year term.
Public commenters pressed the council before the vote. Tom Maserella called the proposal "almost $14 million" and questioned the $4.8 million maintenance package and the level of publicly available cost detail; Robert Young similarly urged renegotiation and criticized town disclosure around a separate $239 million school referendum and related financing data.
Council debate ranged from technology and safety arguments to financial caution. Councilor Winer, citing experience in telecom, said the upgrade would bring the town into modern standards and improve security; others, including Councilor Carbone and Councilor Pentelo, acknowledged responder safety but voiced concern about the scale of the expense and urged transparency and careful budgeting. Staff said additional supporting infrastructure (HVAC and generators at shelter sites) remains important for system reliability and that replacement of aging shelter infrastructure is planned and budgeted separately.
Mayor Ken Leser called for a voice vote; councilmembers signified assent and the motion carried (the transcript records verbal approval but does not include a roll‑call tally).
The agreement authorizes the town manager to execute a network upgrade agreement with Eastern Communications Ltd and to amend the maintenance agreement with L3 Harris for the same 15‑year period. Staff said the approach aims to ensure the town’s system is kept current throughout the term rather than lapse into obsolescence, while councilors said they will continue to scrutinize budget implications in the months ahead.
