911 director recommends refusing Liberty

The director cited costs among other concerns.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
LIBERTY -- The director of Trumbull County 911 isn't interested in allowing Liberty Township back into the countywide emergency system without Girard's also coming along.
The position of 911 director Tim Gladis is detailed in two letters he sent to county commissioners March 23 and July 28. Gladis wrote in the July 28 letter that he could not in good conscience recommend that Liberty be readmitted to the 911 center.
"Should Girard opt in, I would certainly change my position, but I do not see how we can afford to do this as proposed at this time," he added.
Girard Mayor James J. Melfi and Liberty Administrator Patrick J. Ungaro and township trustees have been tossing around the idea of merging dispatching services with each other or with the county system.
Both communities have their own dispatching centers, and emergency calls are routed to their respective centers.
Left in 1998
Liberty was a 911 member until 1998 when it left the county system after months of heated argument. At the same time, Warren Township left and contracted with Lordstown to dispatch its calls.
As a result, commissioners had to increase 911 funding through the county general fund.
In his March 23 letter, Gladis pointed out to commissioners that with the present formula assessed to its members, Liberty's assessment would be $111,849 annually.
Liberty would also have to pay about $500 monthly for radio circuits to connect the township to the 911 center in Howland. Liberty would pay $50 a month for phone lines and a one-time fee of not more than $5,000 to reprogram and install frequencies.
Gladis called attention to other unspecified costs such as computer fees, office supplies and added costs to make duplicate tapes, such as for police, and to generate reports.
Trustees have said they are waiting for Gladis to provide information about the added expenses.
Costs to county
Gladis pointed out to commissioners that it will cost the county 911 nearly $250,000 for dispatchers: bringing back three who are laid off and filling two vacancies.
Although the letter was written in March, Karen Davies, 911 deputy director, said the three dispatchers remain furloughed, along with two vacancies.
Gladis pointed out that those communities joining 911 will save money but that it will cost the county more money.
There may be another reason Gladis isn't eager to return Liberty to join the county 911, and it stems from often-heated negotiations with township police before Liberty left the center.
"An additional concern I have is the negative sentiment that still exists from their police department union personnel ...," Gladis wrote in the July 28 letter to commissioners.
yovich@vindy.com