NORTH BRANFORD — Fire Chief William Seward III endorses a 2-2-1 staffing increase, as well as some infrastructure and technology upgrades, to keep the 911 Dispatch Center in North Branford and meet expanding needs. A 2-2-1 scenario would keep the dispatch center at the police station and increase employee coverage from one dispatcher at the desk 24/7 to two assigned during the day, two during the evening and one overnight.

Seward gave his 2-2-1 recommendation to the Town Council last week, echoing similar feedback from Police Chief Matthew Canelli and also reflecting the recommendation of the town’s Police Commission. Seward was among seven speakers invited by the Town Council to give input during a special information-gathering meeting at North Branford Intermediate School on March 23.

The chief’s view differs from Fire Commission’s. On February 2, the commission voted to recommend to the town’s Public Safety Communications Committee that North Branford dispatch services be consolidated with the Town of Branford; together with hiring a part-time person to cover resulting “dark” hours when no one will be at the desk at the North Branford station’s administrative office (weekends and after 4:30 p.m. weekdays).

A crowd of about 70 listened in March 23 as Seward, Canelli, Police Commission chairman David Palumbo and members of the union representing the town’s dispatchers gave numerous reasons to keep the center in North Branford’s Police Department building on Forest Road, rather than move to Branford’s 911 Center in the Branford Police Dept. to create a multi-town dispatch center.

For the safety of the public, staff and “boots on the ground” Chief Canelli and Commissioner Palumbo told the council North Branford’s 911 Dispatch Center should not be moved.

“What I think is not best for the department is to move to Branford,” Canelli told the council, saying North Branford would not be the "home team" at the Branford 911 center. Canelli said the town’s citizens don't want their dispatch center moved to Branford and emphasized the importance of not having "dark" hours, saying, “I believe a police department should be a safe haven.”

Palumbo said the commission understands, "...we absolutely have a fiscal responsibility, but we also have a moral responsibility to our residents for the service we give and the boots on the ground, which is our fire and police."

Town Hall Employees’ Union President Terri Nuzzo (Council 4 AFSCME Local 13030-155) and North Branford Dispatcher Justin Infantino also urged the council to keep the center in town. Both discussed the safety of citizens who rely on dispatchers being in the building 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When officers are out on patrol during hours when the regular administrative staff is gone (after 4:30 p.m. daily and on weekends), Nuzzo said the dispatcher can be the station’s sole personnel in the building for people who arrive in distress. While dispatchers aren’t police officers, they are there to respond to someone looking to connect with the police department, and can also “buzz in” a person in distress to provide a safe space in the enclosed lobby area, said Infantino.

Nuzzo told the council when she was a new driver at 16, her mom had told her to go to the police station anytime she needed help. If the North Branford station goes dark, “...what am I going to tell my kids?” Nuzzo asked.

For the current fiscal year (2016-17), North Branford has $562,073 budgeted for dispatch services. As the council works to set a 2017-18 annual budget with proposed state budget cuts in mind, the growing need to improve dispatch services has the town leaders wrestling with options and costs. Short of making no changes at all, the least expensive option would be receiving state subsidies to open a multi-town dispatch center with Branford.

On March 23, a letter from Branford First Selectman James B. Cosgrove inviting the council to visit the Branford 911 center was read into the record. The council also heard an overview of state-provided multi-town dispatch grants and subsidies from representatives of the Division of Statewide Emergency Telecommunications (DSET). In response to their questions, the council was also assured by DSET reps that state funds would continue to be available and provided to multi-town centers despite any state budget concerns. DSET's "911 Fund" is derived from a statewide phone line surcharge (cellular and landline). The fund would pay North Branford a one-time capital expense grant of up to $250,000 (with Branford receiving an additional grant of up to $250,000) for infrastructure/equipment upgrades. The fund would also provide an annual subsidy to the North Branford and Branford multi-town 911 center to help defray operating expenses, based on a subsidy formula calculated on total population served. With a current total population of 150,000 among both towns (anticipated to fall by about 150 in the coming year, based on CT Dept. of Public Health figures), DSET's formula would return between $120,000 to $125,000 in annual subsidies to the center, said DSET's Bill Youell.

Given Connecticut's current budget crisis, councilman Al Rose wanted to know whether the state legislature could potentially vote to sweep DSET's 911 program money into the general fund, asking, "Why would I believe anything the state said on funding? How much money do you have sitting in the bank up there, in this account?"

Youell said there are "many millions" in the account. The money is sequestered and required by law to restricted use for regional and multi-town centers, Even so, "...we've seen attempts," to move the money, answered Youell, adding they've all failed, to date.

"It's fair to say we've seen attempts at the legislature to sweep our funds and use that money," said Youell. "The most recent was (to) fund the Firefighters' Cancer bill, but it's not being funded because (the legislative vote) is illegal and violates federal law. So for as long as there's been a fund, it's never been swept -- but anything's possible."

North Branford Finance Director Anthony Esposito described six options the town could consider. Option one is the proposed multi-town dispatch center supported by state subsidies, adding $18,000 to North Branford’s current dispatch expenses per year. Option two is to double the dispatch staff at North Branford police headquarters, increasing costs by $552,000 annually. Options three, four and five involve going with the state subsidized multi-town dispatch center and also hiring personnel to man North Branford’s station during “dark hours” in one of the following ways: adding a “greeter” (civilian) to create a total increase of $125,000 per year; adding a retired police officer ($209,000 total annual increase); adding a “Grade A” police officer ($663,000 total annual increase). The sixth option is the 2-2-1 scenario for a total annual increase of $183,000.

In saying he tended to agree with the police commission’s support of a 2-2-1 option that would also include some facility and technology upgrades, Seward said there are some downsides.

“The downside of not moving is we get no money from the state for technology upgrades. And without that funding from the state, ultimately it places a burden on the town,” said Seward.

Chief Seward also noted the town and its dispatchers could benefit from some increased telecommunicator training. As part of the state’s multi-dispatch program, dispatchers would receive additional training with state training reimbursement money to meet best Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP) operating standards.

However, “We are the town of North Branford. The North Branford Fire Department and the members of the North Branford Police Department do their job without discussion 24/7, 365 (and) we ask for very little, in the scheme of things,” said Seward. “I can’t speak for the board of fire commissioners...they voted on a decision. There was discussion [with our counterparts] before that decision was made. So, as Fire Chief, I would support a 2-2-1 plan. Why? Because it elevates the level of safety not only for those that work on the street; but it elevates the safety for those people that work behind a closed door and glass after 4:30. It’s the only way that we can justify staying in North Branford.”