To the Editor:

I am writing this letter in response to the article concerning the moving from local dispatch to regional dispatch for the following: Fire and Police Departments, Ambulance and Dive Team. A committee consisting of Jeff Capeci, Neil Chaudhary and unofficially Maureen Will have recommended outsourcing these dispatch functions to a site located in Torrington. I have a few questions which need to be answered and should be answered before our first selectman and her board finalize their decision:

1. Response time would be reduced…How? Our response times are equal to or better than some paid and other volunteer services in the area.

2. It is reported, at this point, the taxpayers could save about 30 percent over the current budget. If this is the case, if things don’t work out, what is the cost to the taxpayer to return this dispatch center back to Newtown? Perhaps I need to ask the State Police what it cost them to go back.

3. In the event of weather-related or other disaster and the lines are down, who will man the OIC Dispatch Center? The person who is currently qualified to man the dispatch function will be out of a job and therefore not expected to stay current with the training. Will the town be expected to train volunteers and pay not only for their training but for recertification?

4. Has anyone looked into creating a regional dispatch center with local towns and what the price tag would be for doing that?

5. When there is no one manning a Newtown dispatch area, in the dark of night, how will they be helped and how will you find help?

It seems to me Newtown has an extraordinary talent pool when considering emergency dispatch, firefighting, police coverage, ambulance response and dive team services that rival many paid and volunteer services. Newtown proved this excellence too many times in our recent past: Sandy Hook and two treacherous storms within a short period of time. People of Newtown, is this how we reward documented excellence by placing the safety and welfare of our towns people at risk?

So let me get this straight. Newtown’s services have received multiple awards in every area mentioned in this letter and as a result we are planning a reward of our own…take their jobs away!

With no mandates on the horizon…Why is this being pushed?

In recent history, Newtown lost owner operator school bus drivers to a former school superintendent’s decision to outsource said services. This decision caused extreme hardship on town residents, many of whom lost their homes when they lost their jobs. Many had to leave town adding to the glut of unsold houses currently on the market. How does this save the town money? How did it save Newtown money when it cost thousands to search for a new school superintendent because people didn’t like her? Are we not putting ourselves in a similar position here?

I think I’ve said enough. You, the readers, can fill in the gaps. Please state your minds.

With Respect,

Pat Bailey

108 Brushy Hill Road, Newtown      September 10, 2014