Regional Dispatch Debate Intensifies Ahead of Southbridge Referendum
Supporters cite projected savings and public safety benefits; opponents question local control and long-term value
SOUTHBRIDGE — With a regional dispatch referendum one week away, supporters and opponents used Monday’s Town Council meeting to make competing cases to voters.
The proposal has divided elected officials, candidates and residents, with supporters arguing regionalization would improve public safety and save taxpayers millions of dollars over time, while opponents contend the agreement would surrender local control without providing sufficient benefits to the town.
Town Council Chairman Scott Lazo urged voters to reject the proposal.
“We’re at another crossroad,” Lazo said. “If it’s not broke, why fix it?”
Lazo said he had spoken with police officers and dispatchers who want to keep dispatch operations local, though Councilor Stephen Kelly later asserted that both the police and fire departments’ respective labor unions have officially supported the regionalization plan.
Lazo praised Southbridge dispatchers for their performance during several recent major fires and questioned whether supporters had adequately explained how staffing would work under a regional model.
“From my experience, I would have to advise you to vote no, but you need to decide,” Lazo said in an appeal to voters. “Send a message to this council.”
Supporters of regional dispatch pointed to both public safety and financial considerations.
During Citizens Forum, Town Council candidate Shelley Klein argued the proposal would provide improved emergency communications while reducing long-term costs to taxpayers.
“Regional dispatch offers the public improved public safety and extraordinary cost savings,” Klein said. “This is a chance to improve safety and save us millions of dollars.”
Klein also defended financial projections being circulated by supporters, including information posted by Town Councilor David Adams.
“Every number is rooted in real budgets, collective bargaining increases, [consumer price index], and required radio console upgrades,” Klein said. “Every piece of data is sourced from actual verifiable information.”
On Monday morning, Adams shared an infographic on social media comparing projected costs under three dispatch models. The graphic estimated a six-year cost of more than $3.4 million under the proposed regional model, compared with about $9 million for the current local system and more than $12 million for an expanded local dispatch operation.
Supporters also cited recommendations from public safety officials.
Kelly said both Police Chief Shane Woodson and Fire Chief Paul Normandin support regionalization, as do the police and fire unions.
“We had our subject matter experts, the police chief and the fire chief, both strongly recommending regional dispatch,” Kelly said. “Not only did we have those experts, those people with the most experience in their fields, recommending it, we had both unions, those people that are on the ground, enforcing our laws, ensuring our safety, those people are recommending regional dispatch, all of them.”
Councilor John Daniel also voiced support, arguing that anticipated capital expenses and infrastructure needs make cost savings increasingly important for the town.
Opponents, however, questioned whether the proposed agreement adequately protects Southbridge’s interests.
Town Councilor Michael Montigny said he supports regionalization in principle but believes the currently proposed arrangement is flawed.
“If you look at the deal that we’re being presented, and you think there’s no way that Southbridge could have possibly got a better deal than this for selling their dispatch into a regional system, you’re wrong,” Montigny said. “It’s not the best deal Southbridge could get.”
Montigny argued that Southbridge generates the highest call volume among participating communities and should host the regional center if it joins the system.
“There’s not enough in it for Southbridge,” he said, later calling the proposal “a bad deal for Southbridge.”
Residents also weighed in during the meeting.
Gary Boulanger questioned the accuracy of competing financial projections and expressed uncertainty about the proposal’s potential benefits.
“Regional dispatch. Is it good? Who knows?” Boulanger said. “It could be. It might not be.”
Southbridge voters will weigh in on the regional dispatch proposal June 9. While the vote is non-binding, the result is expected to influence future decisions by town officials regarding whether and how Southbridge pursues participation in a regional emergency communications center.