Otsego granted federal funding

Cooperstown News Bureau

July 10, 2008 04:00 am

—

Otsego County will receive $335,440 in federal funds to help improve its emergency communications system.

The grant, along with others around the state totaling about $12 million, was announced Wednesday by Gov. David Paterson.

``These funds are vital to ensure our first responders have the means to communicate with each other to support a coordinated response to emergencies,'' Paterson said in a prepared statement released by his office. ``As we continue to do everything possible to enhance our preparedness and response capabilities throughout the state, I thank the Department of Homeland Security, Secretary Michael Chertoff and our congressional delegation for supporting our efforts.''

Otsego County is represented in Congress by Kirsten Gillibrand, D-Hudson, and Michael Arcuri, D-Utica.

According to Laura Child, clerk of the Otsego County Board of Representatives, the money will be used to design a new emergency communications system.

At its last meeting, the county board agreed to spend $408,904 to upgrade its emergency communications by replacing microwave units, and $60,000 to retain a communications consultant, L. Robert Kimball Associates.

The county has also retained ECC Technologies of Fairport at a cost of $48,000 to help design a telephone network that would serve emergency services, as well as people and businesses seeking high-speed Internet connections.