Schuylkill County plans to change its radio communications systems for law enforcement from analog to digital, a move that will cost West Penn Township about $44,000.

During a meeting Monday, West Penn Chief Brian Johnson told the supervisors about the anticipated cost. Each portable radio, worn by an officer, will cost $6,500 and each mobile radio, in a vehicle, will cost $7,737. The total cost for outfitting the township is $70,340, but the county was able to get a discount which takes $26,273 from the bill."I know $44,000 sounds like a lot," Johnson said. "But it's not when you consider the safety of an officer."Johnson said that with the current analog radios, there are several "dead spots" in the township where communication fails. In cooperation with county 911 officials, he was able to test some of the new digital radios, and said the quality is excellent.However, the change from analog to digital has been discussed at the county level for years. Without a firm timetable, West Penn didn't budget for the cost this year, but payment plans are available which would defray the cost until next year, Johnson said.Schuylkill County plans to go digital in June, which means the supervisors should take steps to make the radio switch. After a brief discussion, they decided to take time to look at the information provided by Johnson, and take action at a future meeting.The supervisors approved the final plan as submitted by Commonwealth Connections Academy, a cyber school which plans to open a branch in the former J.E. Morgan Antique Car Museum on the corner of Route 443 and Cold Spring Road. During a meeting last month, the township's planning commission recommended that the plan be approved, with several waivers: allowing one submission as a final plan, which saved a step in the usual process where a preliminary plan must be approved before the final plan is submitted; and waiving the requirement for a buffer zone along the property line, because a buffer zone of trees and other vegetation already exists.Commonwealth Connections Academy has numerous locations in the state. The supervisors voted unanimously to accept the plan.In other action:The supervisors have received a response from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection regarding the township's Act 537 plan. The plan was submitted to DEP last year, but returned with numerous recommendations. The supervisors are seeking to set up a meeting with DEP representatives to discuss how to rectify the recommendations. Possible dates discussed are March 31, April 8 and April 9. The supervisors will contact DEP and settle on a date.Johnson said the police department has been awarded two grants, $2,500 and $2,200, to support programs that target aggressive driving.