ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, March 6, 1997 TAG: 9703060048
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-11 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: PULASKI
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER THE ROANOKE TIMES
The town of Pulaski will switch to a new telecommunications system March 16, replacing an 18-year-old telephone system for which spare parts were becoming hard to find.
Work on the new system dates back to early last year. Scott Telecom and Electronics was chosen from project bidders to install the new system for $156,000.
The system will connect the municipal building by fiber-optic cables to the town's public works facility, senior citizens center, filtration plant and Fire Department. By owning the lines instead of renting them, the town will save $2,500 a year.
The town will also save 30 percent over present telephone rates, or about $12,000 a year, by using the state's network for long-distance calls. Another annual $9,600 will be saved by removing 20 telephones, made possible by converting to direct dial lines to any department without going through a console operator.
New features will be added to the telephones. A new call accounting system will let department managers monitor costs and use. A new Voice Mail system will make town departments more accessible to the public. A battery backup will keep the system operational for four hours in case of a power failure.
New town numbers will be announced in the near future.
LENGTH: Short : 34 linesby CNB