Swampscott to add to dispatch partnership with Lynn

SWAMPSCOTT – Selectmen unanimously voted to establish regional emergency dispatch services with the City of Lynn, despite a Police Union request that the town further study the issue to demonstrate that there is a clear need for regional services.Union Vice President and Swampscott Police Officer Kevin Reen told Selectmen Tuesday night that the union was concerned that neither the town or police department had examined statistics demonstrating a need for regionalization. Without such statistics, he said the union was concerned that the town felt the police department was not providing effective dispatch services.”We were basically clearing the air and wanted to state our concerns,” said Reen, who was accompanied by about 15 members of the Swampscott Police and Fire departments. “We’re not saying that we’re against change. We’re saying let’s get all the information, then decide.”Every member of the board and Town Administrator Andrew Maylor adamantly denied the regionalization effort was motivated by anything other than reducing costs.”This is not about job performance,” said Selectman Robert Mazow. “It’s the first time I’ve heard (that concern) and I’m a little surprised. This wasn’t about doing (regionalization) or not doing it. It was a question of where.”Town Administrator Andrew Maylor has investigated combining regional emergency dispatch services with both the City of Lynn and the City of Salem over the last year. Swampscott already shares fire dispatch with Lynn, but the city had been reluctant to share police dispatch, Maylor said, until a few weeks ago.Selectman Matthew Strauss said that the motivations to pursue the contract with Lynn were based solely on public safety, a smooth transition to regional service and the economics of sharing dispatch services.Selectmen Chair Jill Sullivan added that the regionalization, which uses civilians, would enable police officers to spend more time on specialized tasks. The final contract for shared dispatch services will be presented at the Selectmen’s April 13 meeting.