Oxford receives $65k for public safety upgrades

OXFORD — Two Homeland Security grants totaling $65,652 for upgrades to communication and information systems at the town's public safety building were approved by the selectboard during its August 2 meeting.

The two grants are provided through the Maine Emergency Management Agency from the federal Department of Homeland Security.

The first $20,650 grant will be used to install an electronic emergency message sign at the public safety building on Route 26.

In a letter to the board requesting approval of the grant, Fire Chief Scott Hunter and Police Chief Jon Tibbetts explained the sign could be used to display local public notices and warnings.

It could also be tied into the National Warning Network to display Amber Alerts and storm information.

Located on Route 26 – with a daily traffic flow of 33,000 vehicles – it would also benefit travelers from all over the state, getting important information out to thousands of people daily, the chiefs said.

A second $39,000 grant to the Oxford Police Department will be used to upgrade the dispatching and notification systems at the public safety building.

A letter from the chiefs to the selectmen explains that the two departments are currently using older mobile radios that lack the capabilities of a modern dispatch console.

The letter from the state to Tibbetts notes that the grant is to improve preparedness and response capabilities for Homeland Security related events in the state.