Bridgewater council introduces $4.2 million bond to replace county-mandated radios amid questions on costs and distribution

The Bridgewater Township Council on June 24 introduced a bond ordinance to appropriate $4,205,000 to purchase emergency radio communications equipment required by Somerset County’s system migration and authorized issuance of bonds or notes to finance most of the appropriation.

Council members framed the upgrade as a public‑safety necessity: County officials are retiring the existing radio system and moving to a different frequency band, and some current radios will no longer be supported. “We really have virtually no choice but to approve this because of the timeline,” Councilman Michael Kirsch said, urging colleagues to act while also seeking clarity on outstanding details.

Why it matters: The new radios are required for first responders to remain interoperable with county dispatch. Council members pressed for a written plan showing how radios will be programmed, how many devices the township will purchase, which agencies will receive fixed equipment vs. portable units and whether volunteer fire districts or ambulance squads will be expected to reimburse the township.

What council members asked for
- Ownership and distribution: The administration told the council the township expects to retain ownership of devices while establishing agreements with fire districts and EMS squads outlining responsibilities. Council members asked how reimbursement will be handled for districts that already purchased equipment.

- Ancillary costs: “The radios have to be programmed,” the administrator warned; programming is performed by county‑approved vendors and is not included in the bond. Council members requested ballpark estimates for programming and any additional software or maintenance fees.

- Vendor life cycle and timing: County guidance and vendor practice mean radios are typically on a 10‑year support cycle. Members asked whether the models under consideration were current or already several years old, and whether that would shorten the functional life of the purchase.

- Grant funding and cost cushion: The administration said the township is pursuing grant funding that could offset some costs; council members asked the administration to identify likely grants, the timetable for awards and any estimated net cost to taxpayers.

Public and stakeholder input Several residents and volunteer officials at the meeting supported the purchase as necessary for safety. Former council member Robert Albano and others told the council volunteer districts lacked resources to buy compatible equipment on their own and urged municipal assistance. Council members also emphasized fairness to districts that already invested: one member noted a district had already spent “$800,000–$900,000” and asked whether reimbursement was planned.

Next steps The council set final action for July 9 and asked the administration, bond counsel and vendor representatives to provide answers to the full list of technical and financial questions beforehand. Council members also agreed to draft written agreements clarifying ownership, maintenance and cost‑sharing with all local emergency service providers.

No final vote to issue bonds occurred at the June 24 meeting; the ordinance was introduced and scheduled for a public hearing and final action on July 9.