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Utica and New Hartford one step closer to 911 consolidation

By By EMMA WRIGHT

Story Created: Feb 1, 2010 at 5:56 PM EST

Story Updated: Feb 1, 2010 at 6:20 PM EST

ONEIDA COUNTY, N.Y. (WKTV) - Utica and New Hartford are one step closer to consolidating 911 emergency dispatch services.

Utica Mayor David Roefaro and New Hartford Supervisor Pat Tyksinski met last week with Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente to continue consolidation discussions.

Utica and New Hartford started talking consolidation last year, and recently began crunching numbers to see just how much money both municipalities would save by having all of their 911 calls go through a county dispatch center.

Picente said that both Utica and New Hartford are committed to moving forward, but the consolidation won't be happening anytime in the near future. Picente said that's because the Oneida County 911 center is designed to handle all calls from the county's municipalities, but incorporating the county's biggest city and town will take plenty of planning.

There are staffing and all volume issues to consider, as well. The City of Utica has the most 911 calls of any city or town in Oneida County, and it could be at least six months before any consolidation begins.
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