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$100,000 earmark accepted, but officials don't commit to First Responder
By Tom McGee
Murrysville Star (Pennsylvania)
November 18, 2008
A $100,000 federal grant is officially Murrysville's.
Murrysville Council unanimously approved the federal earmark through the office of U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire (D-4) at last week's council meeting. The money will be used to upgrade communications for emergency services and possibly for the First Responder program for police.
Though the earmark was accepted, Councilwoman Joan Kearns said she wanted to be clear that the money wasn't spent yet.
"My only issue is that as long as we have complete latitude to use it for whatever purposes we deem necessary," Kearns said. "I don't want to be locked into a specific project."
Officials viewed a demonstration from OnSite Information Systems on First Responder before last week's meeting. Officials are considering using some of the money to buy that program. The program will cost the municipality $41,000.
If the First Responder program is approved, it will be used to provide digital blueprints of the Franklin Regional School District to police.
Councilman Regis Synan, the council representative for emergency management issues, said district officials have seen a demonstration of the program and are reviewing it.
Councilman Larry Nicolette said he was impressed with the program but is not ready to make a decision.
"Although it looked exciting, I'm not sold on that yet," Nicolette said.
Councilman Dennis Pavlik said he wanted to know what other programs are available that could do the same thing.
"I want to bid this," Pavlik said.
Mayor Joyce Somers said the next step is to decide how to spend the $100,000. Then, officials will need to present that request to Altmire for final approval.
"You're committing to spend $100,000 on emergency management," Somers said.
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