Regional Dispatch Decision Reaches a Crossroads

The cost of emergency dispatch could increase by $180,000 if Hamilton stays on its own ion fiscal 2014.

The cost of emergency dispatch is “deeply critical” to any final decision on the fiscal 2014 Hamilton town budget, Finance Advisory Chairman John McWane told Selectmen on Monday night. Hamilton Selectmen are faced with the prospect of a $180,000 increase in costs to stay on its own and continue to offer emergency dispatch from the Hamilton Public Safety Building. Wenham has decided to leave the two-town dispatch center where it has been a member since the 1960s and join the Essex Regional Communications Center, which is under construction in Middleton. The new dispatch center is expected to begin operations this summer. Hamilton now needs to decide whether it wants to join the regional center, go it alone or try to partner with a different…

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Patch Facts

Five Things to Know Today in Hamilton and Wenham: July 30

An essential get-me-going daily morning column from Hamilton-Wenham Patch.

Today is Monday, July 30. Here are five things you need to know: 1. Top Pick: Weather forecasters are calling Monday the top pick of the week, weatherwise, with sunny skies and temperatures into the upper 70s. 2. Regional Dispatch: The Essex County Regional Communications Center’s Police Working Group meets on Monday afternoon to select a new chairman, since Wenham Police Chief Kenneth Walsh held the position until his retirement last week. Wenham plans to become part of the regional dispatch center in Middleton starting next year. Thomas Perkins has taken over as interim chief and Walsh will become director of safety at Endicott College. 3. Music Man: The Music Man does not take a summer vacation as long as the kids who come to his shows……

• Photos (1)

Patch Facts

Five Things to Know Today in Hamilton and Wenham: June 5

An essential get-me-going daily morning column from Hamilton-Wenham Patch.

Today is Tuesday, June 5. Here are five things you need to know: 1. HWCam: Tuesday is the day when HWCam, normally seen on channel 10 for Comcast cable subscribers, will switch to channel 8. The move will not affect Verizon Fios users. The move was mandated by a “must-carry” Federal Communications Rule that a home shopping channel to take channel 10. 2. South America: There’s a Hamilton resident who spend two years in South America living and working, and on Tuesday night from 6:30-7:30 p.m. David Unsworth will share information about Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, and Venezuela and field questions at Hamilton-Wenham Library. It is free and open to the public. Afterward, there will be a reception at 15 Walnut. 3. Cape Cod Railroad trip: …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (2)

Michelle Bailey

7:43 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Rats The Musical Story of the Pied Piper will be preformed by the 5th Graders at Buker School at 6pm. Admission is free.   more ›

Patch Facts

Five Things You Need to Know Today: Jan. 9

An essential get-me-going daily morning column from Hamilton-Wenham Patch.

Today is Monday, Jan. 9. Here are five things you need to know: 1. Weather: We’ll see what will be a “normal” winter day on Monday, with temperatures into the mid to upper 30s and sunny skies. 2. Be Nice: Monday marks the start of “Be Nice on the Internet” week, a push from Real Simple magazine to increase the tone of online discourse. While discussion is almost always civil on Hamilton-Wenham Patch, it is a great reminder to treat others as you would want to be treated, even online. 3. Freezer: Last month we told you about a “refrigerator” that Acord Food Pantry was looking to give away. We stand corrected – it is a freezer. And it is still available to anyone who can move it and pick it up from The Meetinghouse – the old Hamilton library…

• Photos (1)