Communications for Summit Hill police will soon be better, Carbon County officials said Thursday.

The county commissioners approved the purchase of a PD F1 Simulcast for the Summit Hill tower site at a cost of $52,157.77 through Radio Maintenance Inc. of Reading.

Commissioners’ Chairman Wayne Nothstein said that the purchase is to enhance the communication for the police in the Panther Valley area, because of dead spots.

The board also approved replacing unsupported base radios at Bear and Big Boulder tower sites at a cost of $65,179.90, which will be covered under Act 12 funds.

Nothstein said this action is just to upgrade the radio system for better communication.

In addition to radio upgrades, the board extended the existing equipment maintenance contract with Radio Maintenance for an additional three years, expiring Dec. 31, 2022, at a total cost of $222,000.