AUBURN — Lewiston Fire Chief Paul M. LeClair, interim director of the Lewiston-Auburn 911 Communications Center, presented Twin Cities councilors Monday night with a capital improvement plan that would cost over $5 million over three years. 

Lewiston and Auburn city councils held a joint workshop to discuss the L-A 911 Center’s capital plan and radio project and steps that need to be taken to improve the communications system. 

Auburn Councilor Ernestine Gilbert said she recently took a tour of the center at the Auburn Central Fire Station, 552 Minot Ave.

“I was there when two calls came in. I don’t think I realized the value of it until I saw what a wonderful service it is,” she said.

The cost of replacing hardware because of its age or limited manufacturer’s support is estimated at $280,000, or $140,000 per city, to be completed over two years.

The project will cost an estimated $5 million over three years: $1 million for each of the first two years and $3 million for the third. 

LeClair said the budgets for the fiscal years 2017-18 and 2018-19 “are pretty final numbers” while the third year is an estimate. If it does reach that $5 million mark, each city’s share would be $2.5 million. 

“We don’t want to leave folks in dead spots in either city,” LeClair said.

“We need consistent, reliable services,” Lewiston Councilor Jim Lysen said.

The fixed equipment that needs to be replaced as part of the radio project has a 15- to 20-year life span, and LeClair said it’s close to that time.

Auburn City Councilor Bob Stone voiced concerns that allotting an estimated $5 million for the project without a 100 percent guarantee that it will work is unsettling.

“I want to have some assurance that this new system will work,” he said. 

LeClair said that while they can’t ever be 100 percent sure, they’re as sure as they can be.

“These are projections and estimates, so when the next year comes around we know what to expect,” Auburn Mayor Jonathan LaBonte said. 

The L-A 911 Center’s unassigned fund balance has $113,661 more than required, so some could be used toward the proposed projects, LeClair said. 

L-A 911 Communications Center upgrade plan

Fiscal year 2017-18

• Goff Hill Tower replacement, $675,000.

• Fiber connectivity associated with the Goff Hill Tower project, $30,000.

• Remote receiver site in East Lewiston, $225,000.

• Webber Avenue building replacement, radio and PC equipment, $75,000.

• Montello Street building replacement, radio and PC equipment, $65,000.

Total: $1.07 million

Fiscal year 2018-19:

• L-A 911 Communications Center consoles (eight), $592,000.

• Fixed equipment: Base radios, transmitters, receivers and repeaters VHF, $300,000.

• Microwave system: Webber Avenue to Goff Hill, Gracelawn Road to Goff Hill, $100,000.

• Develop technical specifications and operational requirements for an upgraded radio system, along with price quotes, $30,000.

Total: $1.02 million

Fiscal year 2019-20

* Implementing upgraded radio system

Total: $3 million, depending on 2018-19 recommendations and price quotes.