Town Board Talks New Technology

The phone system at Riverhead Town Hall is poised for a facelift.

Members of the town board met with representatives of Black Box Network Services at their weekly work session on Thursday to discuss ways to revamp an aging phone system that has been in place since the 1970s.

The overhaul, said Paul Winklarek, senior account executive of Black Box Network Services, could result in savings for the town.

To start, after an audit, it appears Riverhead Town is due approximately $37,500 in rebates for monies the municipality has been paying for phone lines that are no longer used, including phone lines that ran to 201 Howell Avenue, as well as in overbilling charges.

Next, Winklarek discussed a proposal to upgrade the town's phone system to replace equipment that's at the "end of life," he said. Under the proposed solution, the main system would be located in the Riverhead Town Police Deparment, which has the most users.

The switch to a new system would result in savings, Winklarek said. Currently, the town spends approximately $9000 per month, or $108,000 per year. The proposed solution presented by Black Box would result in a savings of approximately $240,000 over five years, Winklarek said, if the board opted to purchase the equipment outright. Plus, he said, "It will be putting you in this century."

The purchase price for the equipment totals approximately $160,000.

Leasing is also an option, with a total savings over a five-year period of over $211,000, based on a 60-month lease.

Upgrading the system would result in approximately $3500 per month in immediate savings, Riverhead Town Supervisor Sean Walter said.

The board asked questions; Lori Pipcyznski from the town's IT department said a network assessment must ensure to ensue.

"Our whole solution is wrapped up in $160,000," Winklarek said. "It's a nice entree into a new environment."

Councilwoman Jodi Giglio, who brought Black Box to the table, said the company has worked with other companies including Islip and seen savings. "It's moving us into the 21st century," she said.

Councilman John Dunleavy said the current system has been in place for decades. "I think it's time," he said.

The board discussed bidding and other issues. Walter suggested Pipczynski review the proposal and get back to the board with a recommendation.

Pipczynski, who said Riverhead has the smallest IT staff on eastern Long Island, next discussed virtual options; the town agreed to green light the initiative to the tune of approximately $191,000, which is already budgeted for.

Walter suggested perhaps the East End could create one universal IT grop that all municipalities could share. Pipczynski said the new East End Users Group has just been formed.

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