County, municipalities reach settlement over emergency radio contract
Washington County, Peters Township and North Strabane Township avoided another day in a court by reaching a settlement concerning the planned overhaul of the county’s emergency responders radio system.
The municipalities sued the county, claiming the commissioners did not choose the “most responsible bidder” when they voted on the contract March 16.
The commissioners voted 2-1 to award a $22.545 million contract to MRA/Tait. Commissioners Diana Irey Vaughan and Larry Magi voted in favor, while Commissioner Nick Sherman dissented.
All parties involved were scheduled to appear before Judge Gary Gilman Friday morning, but following a court appearance Thursday, county and municipal officials were able to hash out an agreement.
Gilman signed off on the agreement Thursday evening, allowing North Strabane to join Peters Township in having an independent 911 system.
“Should North Strabane decide to join the Peters Township 911 system, Washington County authorizes the joinder and has no objection. Regardless of the system utilized, Washington County 911 will continue to dispatch both townships,” the court order reads.
There are several additional stipulations in the agreement. For one, the county must ensure there are no issues with compatibility between systems, and cover the cost of firmware upgrades and replacement of existing radios.
Additionally, V-COMM Engineering, the county’s consultant for the project, must review MRA’s contractual obligations to confirm they are in compliance. They are to provide a written report to the commissioners that will also address if MRA is on pace to meet their objectives, according to the order.
MRA will also waive all late fees for any current outstanding payments.
County Solicitor Jana Grimm said officials spent much of Thursday working to find a solution.
“I think it was a good resolution for all parties, and it moves the project forward,” Grimm said.
Despite the agreement, Sherman was still frustrated with how the process has played out.
“I think this falls well short. The county is already paying millions of dollars to this vendor, and this communications system has never been publicly vetted. That’s what I and the public safety board asked for from the very beginning,” Sherman said.
The other bid the county received was a $17.6 million proposal from Motorola.
“The Motorola system I was in favor of was cheaper with advertised better coverage, and it covered the costs of all the radios. MRA’s bid does not cover the cost of radios,” Sherman said.
Gary Sweat, solicitor for North Strabane, said the agreement will address their concern about having a third party review the contract.
“What we did not see in the existing set up was an independent set of eyes and ears of experts that could make recommendations to the commissioners at different stages of the contract,” Sweat said.
As part of the process for a new emergency radio system, the commissioners formed a public safety committee to study the issue. Peters solicitor John Smith said in court Thursday the committee recommended Motorola’s bid to the commissioners.
Sweat added that legal action was not meant to fight the contract or stop MRA from performing the work.
“We just want to make sure that the ultimate system will work. We think the safeguards pursuant to this consent order get us where we need to be,” Sweat said.