This year, several municipalities in New Jersey established community-based radio stations . . . Clark Township, Middlesex, North Plainfield, Franklin Township, Hillsborough, Manville, Cranford . . . to name a few.  Here's an excerpt from one NJ newspaper about the trend; it offers insight into how the stations are helping communities.

December 12, 2001

 

"North Plainfield airwaves are alive with information

"North Plainfield is now the second town in Somerset County to take to the radio airwaves. 

"Broadcasting just over a week, WPQJ-970, at 1630 on the AM dial, transmits news of public events, weather and community service announcements. 

"'We have no local radio station in the area,' said Les Martin, public works director and office of emergency management coordinator, citing the reason he pushed to secure approval from the Federal Communications Commission for the 10-watt station. 

"The new media outlet will allow residents to get broadcast information on what's afoot when the flood sirens sound, he said. Announcers on the radio station will urge people to tune in for updated emergency information when flooding occurs rather than calling police. 

"'When the sirens go off, and people use the PA system, a lot of times they don't get the whole message,' he said. 'So they call the police department, flooding the dispatch center with calls, which ties up four to five officers. Instead of having the patrolmen on the road, where they are needed, they're answering calls.'

"North Plainfield joins Watchung among Somerset County towns setting up their own radio stations. Other towns in the county are making moves toward going on the air, including Hillsborough and Warren Township. 

"Like North Plainfield's, Watchung's station is a traveler information station, providing noncommercial updates on traffic and road conditions, traffic hazards and advisories . . . ."

"'I am very pleased to see North Plainfield and several other Somerset County towns follow Watchung's lead in putting systems on the air, partly as a response to Hurricane Floyd,' which tore through the state in September 1999, he [Wayne Otto] said. 

"'These systems are a very inexpensive way to bring emergency announcements and local information to the community,' Otto said. 

"North Plainfield spent $12,000 to set up the station, which has its transmitting equipment at the borough garage on Steiner Place and an antenna on top. 

"'There's a phone inside, so when I call to the unit, I can punch a code and record into it,' Martin said. 

"The station relays information about borough council and school board meetings, has a message from acting Police Chief Laurence Van Winkle cautioning against drinking and driving, and one from acting Fire Chief Peter Sylvester about being careful about electricity and holiday decorations."