Editor’s note: This article is by Robin Smith of The Caledonian Record, in which it first appeared Jan. 27, 2015.
The proposal is part of the governor’s package of budget cuts to close a $100 million shortfall.
The public safety answering point (PSAP) located in the Vermont State Police barracks on U.S. 5 in Derby would be consolidated with the Williston call center to serve all of northern Vermont.
Another PSAP in Rutland would be closed and rolled into the Rockingham PSAP to serve southern Vermont.
The combined consolidation and reduction of 20 positions would save $1.7 million, according to Jim Reardon, commissioner of finance and management.
Reardon on Monday said he did not know how much of that savings would be from the elimination of jobs at the Derby PSAP. He said he understood that the quality of service would not be affected.
The consolidations were discussed with Northeast Kingdom lawmakers Friday by Keith Flynn, commissioner of public safety and a former Orleans County state’s attorney.
Members of the Orleans County delegation remained skeptical about whether the consolidation would save that much money.
Rep. Michael Marcotte, R-Coventry, said he has asked for more information about the budget and what it would look like when the consolidation is complete.
Marcotte said he and Sen. Bobby Starr, D-Orleans, who supported the creation of the PSAP in Derby, will meet with the joint fiscal office to see the financial picture.
“My concern is more with the loss of jobs,” Marcotte said.
Rutland and Orleans counties have the highest unemployment rates, and job losses like these would hurt, Marcotte said.
Marcotte did not blame Flynn for proposing the cuts, since the state has to find a way to balance the budget.
But he said the loss of state employee jobs will impact this area more than other areas, Marcotte said.
The Derby PSAP provides dispatcher services for local fire and rescue departments. Consolidated PSAPs would continue to provide dispatching, Marcotte said.
He is concerned that the Legislature might again consider charging for the service.
A bill about fees for dispatching services to local fire and rescue departments came up last year.
If fees are put in place and the PSAP is moved then the county would not only lose jobs but face new fees, “a double whammy,” Marcotte said.
Rep. Gary Viens, R-Newport City, agreed with Marcotte and wants to see what the cost savings would be.
“I know for myself I went to Montpelier to work hard to create good paying jobs,” he said.
Cutting dispatching jobs is not what he’d like to see, Viens said.
Rep. Vicki Strong, R-Albany, said Flynn indicated there isn’t wiggle room in the budget to keep the PSAP in place in Derby. But she’s not convinced it’s beneficial.
Consolidation doesn’t always work, in schools, companies or some state services, she said.
“Can they handle the volume of calls in an emergency?” she asked.
Fighting the loss of the PSAP in Derby is former long-time Sen. Vincent Illuzzi of Derby, who worked to make sure the barracks and PSAP would be located in Derby rather than St. Johnsbury.
Illuzzi is also fighting the consolidation on behalf of the state employees union, for which he now lobbies.
