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Public Post is a community reporting initiative using digital tools to report on cities and towns across Vermont.Public Post is the only resource that lets you browse and search documents across dozens of Vermont municipal websites in one place.Follow reporter Amy Kolb Noyes and #PublicPost on Twitter and read news from the Post below.

State Commission Recommends Opting In To Federal FirstNet Contract

The sign outside the Vermont Department of Public Safety headquarters.
Amy Kolb Noyes
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VPR File
Vermont's Public Safety Broadband Network Commission is recommending Gov. Phil Scott opt in to a federal first responder network contract with AT&T. The governor has until Dec. 28 to make a decision.

Vermont's Public Safety Broadband Network Commission was tasked with determining the state's best option for building out a public safety broadband network. The commission is now recommending that Gov. Phil Scott opt in to a federal contract with AT&T.

Every U.S. state and territory must choose whether to opt in to the federal FirstNet contract with AT&T or come up with another way to build its own first responder network.

Chairman Terry LaValley says the commission evaluated the FirstNet contract and looked at other options submitted through a request for proposals.

"Based on our evaluation of that material and a recommendation from the Treasurer’s Office and an independent review which was conducted by the Agency of Digital Services, the commission has recommended for Gov. Scott to opt in to FirstNet for Vermont," says LaValley.

Scott has until Dec. 28 to make his decision. More than 30 states have opted in to the federal FirstNet contract thus far.

Amy is an award winning journalist who has worked in print and radio in Vermont since 1991. Her first job in professional radio was at WVMX in Stowe, where she worked as News Director and co-host of The Morning Show. She was a VPR contributor from 2006 to 2020.
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