Millburn's Dispatch Might Be Taken Over By Livingston

Millburn officials are weighing the possible savings in outsourcing the town's police dispatch to Livingston. If approved, the township is estimating it will start in early 2013. 

"Unless Livingston gives us an outrageous figure it seems it may go through," Millburn's business administrator, Thomas Gordon, said. 

A subcommittee is currently discussing the proposal. A report is expected at the next Township Committee meeting on Aug. 21 and could be approved as early as that meeting. Nothing has been made official yet police officials said.

"It won't affect the residents at all," Gordon said. "The fire department dispatch has been shared since 1970."

Currently, there are dispatchers in the Police Department Building from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the desk to answer phone calls and questions of residents who walk in. An officer is at the desk when a dispatcher is not there. 

Although nothing is finalized yet, Gordon believes there will be someone at the desk until at least 5 p.m. to assist residents. 

This shared service proposal will cut down staff in the police department but it is not known yet how many or whether Livingston will take them on.

According to Gordon, the state government's law that a town can only two percent increase on a its budget per year is why more townships are exploring the option of shared services where it can. 

"The cost of operations is going up and with the budget cap we have budget restraints," Gordon said. "Under the governor [Chris Christie] he wants the towns to share services."

Police Chief Gregory Weber told the Item of Millburn and Short Hills that his concern with the possible move is the loss of a personal connection with residents.