Belchertown, East Longmeadow, Hadley, Ludlow, Pelham, South Hadley, UMass, Ware and Wilbraham were part of an initial feasibility study.
AMHERST – Town Manager John P. Musante said he is hoping to know more in the next few days about plans to develop a regional emergency dispatch facility.
Musante has asked potential partners to let him know where they stand by Tuesday so the town can move to the next step – preconstruction and design.
Belchertown Selectmen voted last week to take part in the dispatch center, joining Pelham, which also wants to take part. Pelham is willing even if it will cost more than the community is paying now because it hopes to gain better service, Musante said.
Hadley officials also want to keep talking, he said. The town is continuing to talk with the University of Massachusetts as well.
According to the study conducted by consultants with the Virginia-based AECOM, the amount each community would save each year depends on the number of communities that participate. The state would also contribute to operating costs.
Amherst began looking at regionalizing with Hadley and UMass in the spring of 2008. Belchertown expressed interest soon after. Later, Pelham, South Hadley, South Hadley Fire District 2, Ludlow, Ware, Wilbraham and East Longmeadow asked to be part of the initial feasibility study paid for a $125,000 state grant.
State officials are encouraging regional dispatch centers because they said they improve safety in addition to cutting costs.
The state has awarded the project a $735,000 grant to pay for pre-construction and design costs and extended that grant until June.
Musante set the Tuesday deadline in December because the town has to make a decision about how to proceed.
He said that state officials “are very flexible, very committed,” to regional dispatch.