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Harrison Town Board Approves New Radios For EMS

HARRISON, N.Y. – Harrison Town Board members approved a request from Comptroller Maureen MacKenzie on Wednesday night to transfer budget funds to cover the cost of new radios for Harrison Emergency Services.

Mayor Ron Belmont and the town board discuss items on the agenda for Wednesday night's town board meeting.

Mayor Ron Belmont and the town board discuss items on the agenda for Wednesday night's town board meeting.

Photo Credit: Kiley Stevens

The federal government has mandated the use of narrow band radios to ensure clear communication by the police, fire and emergency departments, Harrison Police Chief Anthony Marraccini said.

“It’s imperative that we’re able to communicate with the Emergency Medical Services directly,” Marraccini said. The new radios will cost around $30,000.

Council member Stephen Malfitano raised concern that the 2012 Harrison budget may not cover the full cost of the radios. If this is the case, the remainder of the bill would come out of the 2013 budget.

“We were able to take advantage of an incentive Motorola gave on the purchase of our radios,” said Marraccini of the cost.

After much back and forth between the council members and MacKenzie, the budget transfer and approval of the purchase of the radios were approved.

“I will support this but not with phenomenal enthusiasm,” said Council member Joe Cannella. “This is going to take away from the 2013 budget.”

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