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Radio Communications Upgrade

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


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
  • Springbrook Park - New 180' Tower

Subscribers

Scarborough (857 Total) Old Orchard Beach (296 Total)
  • Police Department - 130
  • Fire Department - 263
  • Sanitary District - 5
  • Public Works - 78
  • School Department - 275
  • School Bus Department - 44
  • Community Services Department - 55
  • Dispatch Center - 7
  • Police Department - 93
  • Fire Department/Lifeguards - 93
  • Public Works Department - 41
  • School Department & Bus Department - 63
  • Wastewater Department - 6
Grand Total: 1,153
  • Portable Radios - 782
  • Vehicle Radios - 256
  • Other Radios - 115

Pricing

The pricing includes the total for infrastructure and subscribers, plus a 10% contingency:

Scarborough: $11,390,828.16

Old Orchard: $3,565,202.64

Total: $14,956,030.80

Public Engagement

Town Council Workshop
February 18, 5:30pm
View recording

Timeline

Spring 2026 - Finalize options for contract negotiations and vendor; present to Finance Committee

Summer 2026 - Scarborough & Old Orchard Beach Council approvals with FY2027 budget

August-October 2026 - Public education campaign

November 2026 - Scarborough and Old Orchard Beach referendums

February 2027 - Project kick-off (if approved)

October 2028 - System cutover

Resources

Overview Slides (2/18 Workshop Presentation)