The city of Cedartown is currently working on phase one of a three phase project to convert all of the city’s radio capabilities over from wideband to narrowband to comply with a mandated change passed down from the Federal Communications Commission. The city must have all of the radios changed over by Jan. 1, 2013. The first phase is the building of a new radio communications building at the water tower on Central Street. Construction of the building is nearly complete and it is expected to be finished by the end of June. Cedartown Fire Chief Sammy Stephens stated that construction of the building is funded through SPLOST money. He added that all of the materials for the project were bought local in an effort to keep the money at home. Stephens also said that Northwest Probation Detention Center prisoners are providing the labor at no cost to the taxpayers. Replacing the communications building and equipment is also important because the manufacturer no longer supports the equipment in the existing building. Therefore, some parts may no longer be available. Additionally, the current building does not have air conditioning and has had problems with insects, rats and moisture. The new building is 10-feet by 20-feet, and constructed of concrete blocks with a metal roof with a total building cost of $22,475 including the new equipment. Phase 2 of this project will be to revamp the radios in all city vehicles. This part of the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2010. Phase 3 of the project will be to change over all of the portable radios, and will be finished sometime during 2011 in order to meet the deadline of Jan. 1, 2013.
2009-06-17