CRANBERRY TWP — A new countywide radio communication system is one step closer to a reality after township supervisors on Thursday approved an equipment purchase.

During their regular meeting, supervisors approved three motions totaling $350,425 to purchase mobile radios, base radios, portable radios and pagers. The purchase also includes installation of the system and will allow for the Butler County 911 system to transition from its current analog emergency dispatching system to a digital radio network.

According to Jeff Gooch, fire risk reduction coordinator for the township, the $14 million project is a collaboration with seven other counties, which will all share costs on the back end of the project.

In total the township will receive more than 200 radios and pagers.

Of the cost, the township will pay $178,992 for the police department and EMA, and will cover the cost up front for the Fire Department Relief Association and EMS portion. That portion, totaling $153,883 and $17,548, respectively, will be reimbursed to the township, Gooch said.

The remaining portion of the cost — about 45 percent of a $632,000 total — will be covered by the county.

Read the full story in the Butler Eagle.