The $26.5 million "next generation" radio system will replace the fragmented system now in use.
Millcreek Supervisors Richard Figaski and John Groh approved an ordinance and related user agreement in support of the new system Tuesday morning. Supervisor Brian McGrath was absent.
Figaski and Groh said the new radio system would improve public safety. "This would be a good thing" for the county and township, Figaski said.
Figaski said county government is seeking agreements so that it can move forward with plans for the system.
Erie County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper said the agreements, such as the one from Millcreek, have been coming in. Every municipality, law enforcement agency, fire department and emergency medical services agency is being asked to sign the agreement.
Including Millcreek, thus far 15 of 38 municipalities and 20 of the 60 public safety agencies have signed agreements, said John Grappy, the county's director of public safety.
Grappy said there will be a multiphase transition from the current systems to the new one. The plan calls for all users to be on the new system by March 2018, he said.
Supervisors also approved a new 10-year cable franchise agreement with Time Warner Cable that is expected to provide the township with revenue similar to the previous deal, said township Treasurer Mark Zaksheske.
The franchise agreement provides the township with 5 percent of the gross receipts from every subscriber in Millcreek, or about $875,000 per year, he said. The township also gets 25 cents per subscriber for the two public access channels.
The meeting marked the last public one for Figaski, whose six-year term expires at the end of December. Figaski's last working day will be Dec. 18.
The supervisors' only other meeting this month will be Dec. 22, but Figaski won't attend because he will finish out his term with remaining vacation time and holidays.
Groh acknowledged Figaski's work -- which included working on the sale of the Millcreek Township Water Authority's assets to Erie Water Works -- at the end of Tuesday's meeting.
Figaski said he didn't want any fanfare. "I just kind of like to fade to black" and move on, he said.
Figaski will be replaced by Supervisor-elect John Morgan.
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