Finance Committee backs $220,000 radio tower funding article

Finance Committee · Meeting of January 6, 2026

Southwick Finance Committee unanimously recommends $220,000 for a $1.7 million public safety radio overhaul. The town's share is needed after a Westfield-merger grant fell $220,000 short and Verizon told officials it will stop supporting the current copper radio infrastructure as of October 2026. Chair Joe Didi said the project "became a priority one that has to get accomplished" to avoid losing communication among public safety departments.

The committee also recommended two special town meeting articles letting Southwick raise its share of employee and retiree health insurance premiums above the state's 50 percent minimum, after members were told each percentage point would cost about $22,000 a year. Town budget official Nicole Parker separately pitched meeting individually with department heads to shorten Saturday budget hearings, drawing support and caution from members including Alita DiMaria, who warned it "may be adding additional burden." No vote was taken on the budget process change. The committee also approved a dues increase from $195 to $215 in its own fiscal 2027 budget.

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Source: the Finance Committee meeting of January 6, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.