Lake looks at regional dispatching

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MILLBURY – Lake Township is starting the process of developing a regional emergency dispatch center.
At Tuesday’s meeting, the trustees agreed to seek a $500,000 state grant to fund a feasibility study, but
also said they would pursue setting up a northern Wood County dispatch center, with or without the
financial aid.
"That’s our dream and our goal," said Trustee Chairwoman Melanie Bowen of the dispatch center,
which would include Northwood, Rossford and Walbridge. "This is a big step."
The trustees approved a resolution to apply to participate in the Local Government Innovation Fund,
supported by the state of Ohio.
If the township receives the money, it will be used to conduct a feasibility study on dispatching
services.
After the meeting, Police Chief Mark Hummer, who is also the township administrator, said the dispatch
center will end up saving all the entities money and improve communications.
"We all work together. Budgets are shrinking. We’re all forced to do more with less," Hummer
said.
Owens Community College could be a potential partner, he added.
The feasibility study will help determine how to use personnel. The Wood County Emergency Management
Agency will assist with the mechanical study.
At a previous meeting, Solicitor Tom Hays had explained that this state pool of money was made up of
dollars the township had previously received in local government funds. Now it’s put into grants, and
entities that work together and apply for projects are more likely to be awarded the funds.
The trustees also voted Tuesday to contract with Poggemeyer Design Group for consulting service on the
application; the Bowling Green-based company will write the grant.
The township’s share is $750 toward the total $3,000 fee for Poggemeyer. Hummer said Rossford, Northwood
and Walbridge officials have tentatively agreed to pay their share.
The grants will be announced in early summer, Hummer said.
In other business, the trustees approved a new three-year contract with LifeStar, Toledo, for
24-hours-a-day advanced paramedic and ambulance service. There is no price increase in the
$70,000-per-year contract that is effective April 1.
"You guys have been wonderful partners to work with over the years," Bowen said.
A new three-year contract for dispatching, also with LifeStar, was approved Tuesday. It is effective
April 1 and charges the township $22,000 per month, with an increase of 2 percent each in 2013 and 2014.

Walbridge and Rossford partner with Lake for dispatching.
Also at the meeting, the trustees:
• Approved buying 280 tons of road salt for $55.75 per ton for a total of $15,610 from Cargill Deicing
Technology, North Olmsted.
• Voted to pay Wojo’s Heating/Air Conditioning, Northwood, $914 to repair the radiate heat tubes at fire
station 1 in Walbridge.
• Accepted a package of portraits of the Lake Township firefighters that will be hung at stations one and
two. The cost of the photographers was funded through donations. Firefighter John Castellanos said this
was the first time in 21 years that the departments had been photographed professionally.

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