Radio Communications Upgrade - Scarborough, Town of

Background

The Town of Scarborough is exploring a significant municipal two-way radio communications system upgrade for its public safety, public service, and school departments in Scarborough and Old Orchard Beach. The Town of Scarborough currently provides emergency dispatch services for both Scarborough and Old Orchard Beach, and the communities are working together on a shared vision to modernize and integrate their communications systems. Many key components of the existing radio infrastructure have reached or exceeded their expected service life and are no longer supported by the manufacturers to repair or replace when failures occur. This presents a significant risk to system performance, increasing the potential for communication outages that could impact public safety operations.

Currently, a variety of radio systems are used across both towns by Police, Fire, EMS, Public Works, Schools, Community Services, Recreation, Lifeguards, the Sanitary District, and Wastewater. The goal of a system upgrade is to streamline these separate systems into a cohesive network to improve interoperability and simplify long-term support.

Current System

1950s Era & End-of-Live Infrastructure

System based on 25-year-old architecture; utilizing 1950s technologies
Infrastructure is fragmented and many components are end-of-life
Parts availability is diminishing; service is "best effort" only with no warranties

Significant Coverage & Reliability Gaps

Low portable radio signal (e.g. outer Broadturn Road, East Grand Ave)
Coverage issues in critical buildings
High noise interference

Frequency & Capacity Limitations

Frequency band mismatches - Mutual Aid communities, schools, other municipal departments
Frequency congestion, no available channels, unable to expand

Current System

150mhz Analog VHF System

Recommended System

800mhz P25-Phase 2 Digital Simulcast Trunked System

See the options below to compare radio coverage audio samples from the the current 150mhz Analog VHF System and the recommended 800mhz P25-Phase 2 Digital Simulcast trunked system.

Current System Audio Samples

Recommended Audio System Samples

CDCG Study

A study was conducted by Communications Design Consulting Group (CDCG), an external NH-based consulting group, in 2024 and completed in January 2025. Its findings, "Analysis and Recommendations for Public Safety Mission-Critical Communications", were presented on January 15, 2025.

As part of the study, CDCG provided recommended upgrades and a cost estimate. Actual costs and specific systems proposed in the RFP process differed from the study's estimates; therefore, the resulting proposed solution differs from the study's recommendations. The public safety project team made their decision based on the study, the bids reviewed in the RFP process, and budget considerations.

Recommended System

Scarborough Public Safety Building - Existing 180' Tower
Dunstan Fire Station - New 180' Tower
North Scarborough Fire Station - New 180' Tower
Old Orchard Beach Public Works Department - New 180' Tower
Black Point Fire Station - Replace 80' Monopole with New 100' Tower
Maine Medical - Rooftop Antennas

Subscribers

Scarborough	Old Orchard Beach
Police Department Fire Department Sanitary District Public Works School Department School Bus Department Community Services Department Dispatch Center	Police Department Fire Department/Lifeguards Public Works Department School Department & Bus Department Wastewater Department

Pricing

The pricing includes the total for infrastructure (portable and mobile radios), plus a 10% contingency:

Scarborough: $ 9,165,352.36

Old Orchard: $ 3,231,676.87

Total: $ 12,397,029.23

Learn more in this video with Deputy Emergency Communications Manager Jay McAdams (April 2026)

Public Engagement

Town Council Workshop
February 18, 2026 5:30pm
View Recording

Town Council First Reading
August 19, 2026, 7:00pm
View Recording

Timeline

Date	Details
June 2024	Town Councils in Old Orchard Beach and Scarborough approve funding for a comprehensive current and future infrastructure and needs study for FY25.
August 2024	Communication Design Consulting Group (CDCG) begins exhaustive infrastructure and needs assessment of the two-way communications system in both towns.
January 2025	CDCG delivers the final study and recommendations.
September 2025	RFP developed based on the CDCG study and recommendations.
February 2026	Special Presentation to the Finance Committee.
April 2026	Senator Angus King submits and advances our Congressionally Directed Funding Request for $5 Million to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Late July 2026 (Anticipated)	The United States Senate Appropriations Committee to release draft FY27 Appropriations bill text. This will, or will not, include our CDS Project Funding Request.
Late July; Early August 2026	Scarborough & Old Orchard Beach Council to approve or decline forwarding a referendum question for November 2026.
August-October 2026	Public education campaign.
Late September 2026 (Anticipated)	The United States Senate votes on the FY27 Appropriation Bill (Could be delayed by the US Senate).
November 2026	Scarborough and Old Orchard Beach referendums, if advanced by the council, will be voted on by the public.
February 2027	Project kick-off (if approved)
October 2028	System cutover

Resources

Municipal Two-Way Communications System Upgrade (Presentation)
CDCG Study: "Analysis and Recommendations for Public Safety Mission-Critical Communications" (Presentation)
Overview Slides (2/18 Workshop Presentation)