Council unanimously advances $10 million 9-1-1 dispatch center plan to voters

The Middletown Common Council voted unanimously on Aug. 19 to send a $10 million bond question for a new public-safety 9-1-1 dispatch center to the Nov. 5, 2024 referendum.

Wayne Bartolotta, director of central communications, told the council the existing dispatch space is cramped and outdated and that technology, training and staff-support needs have grown materially since the late 1990s. He said the feasibility team proposed an 8,300-square-foot freestanding facility with up to eight operator consoles, separate secure rooms for radio/server/telephone equipment, expanded training capacity, locker rooms, quiet rooms, a break kitchen, and limited overnight bunks for emergency continuity.

Bartolotta and consultants said calls and incidents handled by the center have increased substantially in recent years — presenters cited roughly a 32% increase in calls since 2017 — and that modern systems are needed to support evolving services such as text-to-911 and enhanced location technology. Bartolotta said regional revenue and partnerships help offset costs: Portland pays about $148,000 per year under its dispatching agreement with Middletown, and the city receives state 9-1-1 funds (presenter estimated roughly $350,000 annually) related to multi-town dispatching.

Public-safety leaders endorsed the project in testimony. Police Chief Eric Costa said improved communications and training capacity will support accreditation requirements and risk management; multiple fire chiefs and emergency-service officials testified in favor of the center, noting interoperability and training needs for complex incidents.

Council discussion focused on comparative sizing and cost: consultants said similar Connecticut projects ranged from roughly 4,000 sq ft (regional projects) to mid‑7,000–8,000 sq ft for freestanding centers in comparably sized communities; Bartolotta said a Phase 2 environmental site study will precede construction if the project moves forward. Council members asked about towers and continuity; Bartolotta said existing tower infrastructure would be used and fiber/microwave links would minimize any offline period during equipment transitions.

Next steps: council approved sending the $10 million bond question to the November ballot. If approved by voters and funded through bonding, the city would proceed with detailed design, Phase 2 site study and construction procurement.