By Chris Frost
EAGLE TIMES NEWS EDITOR
CLAREMONT, N.H. — The Claremont City Council has approved using more local money to help some emergency vehicles get the right-of-way along Washington Street.
Councilor Andrew O’Hearne introduced the supplemental appropriation for the Washington Street Signal Optimization Project for Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality on Wednesda.
Planning and Development Director Nancy Merrill said there is was a $13,900 gap in the match the city initially set aside in 2019 and the $43,900 now needed. Money is available for the match in the Municipal Transportation Reserve Fund,” she said.
As part of the project, Opticoms, a traffic control system that provides a green lights to emergency vehicles, are being installed.
Councilor Nicholas Koloski asked if equipment on the city’s emergency vehicles is part of the replacement.
“Will it go on the vehicles?” he asked. “Will the equipment be mounted on our vehicles?”
Fire Chief Jim Chamberlain said it’s part of the project.
“Whether it’s going to be compatible or not, I’m not sure, but I’ll definitely make sure it’s compatible on our end,” he said.
Mayor Dale Girard said Opticoms are frequency related and the state of New Hampshire is on the same frequency.
Councilor Jonathan Stone asked if all emergency services agencies use the Opticom system.
Merrill said they’ve been band-aided waiting for the project.
Girard said nothing has changed, and they don’t use the Opticoms.
Koloski suggested the city look into the expense of adding the system to the police cruisers.
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