Council introduces $120,000 ordinance to replace town telephone system; officials say upgrade will save operating costs
Summary
Council introduced a bond ordinance appropriating $120,000 to replace Westfield’s town telephone system, with officials saying the upgrade will modernize antiquated equipment and reduce recurring costs.
The Town Council introduced a $120,000 bond ordinance on first reading to replace telephone equipment at municipal facilities, officials said. The measure was introduced and carried on a roll call vote during the meeting.
Council members and staff described the town’s phone system as antiquated and said the replacement will improve resident access to town departments and reduce operating costs. In committee discussion an official stated that, once fully installed, the upgraded system is expected to reduce monthly costs by roughly $10,000 compared with the current arrangement; the measure will move through the usual bond adoption and procurement steps prior to installation.
The ordinance authorizes the appropriation and the issuance of bonds or bond anticipation notes to fund the purchase and installation across town offices; staff said the project will be completed by the end of the year following procurement.
Speakers quoted in this article are listed in the attribution roster below.
