Graphic courtesy of Botetourt Co.
Botetourt County continues work on replacing the aging public safety emergency communications system. At last Tuesday’s meeting of the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors, the board unanimously approved a land lease agreement with Datapath Wireless Group, LLC for the build of a new communications tower on county-owned land at the landfill on Catawba Road.
Emergency Systems Communications Manager Matthew Hinkle noted during his presentation to the board last week that this agreement is “step one of many steps” brought to the board for approval.
The board approved a contract with Motorola Solutions Inc. to replace the aging emergency communications system last December. As a part of the contract with Motorola, the county is responsible for constructing a communications tower at the landfill property owned by the county, according to the meeting’s agenda packet.
County staff negotiated an agreement with Datapath Wireless Group to construct the communications tower with no capital outlay from the county. Datapath will lease approximately one acre of land from the county for the construction of the new tower. The county will lease space from Datapath on the tower for the new emergency communications system. In addition, Datapath will lease space on the tower to third-party wireless carriers.
Datapath will lease the approximately one acre of land for $1,000 per month. The initial term of the lease is for 20 years with an option for four five-year extensions.
The county noted that it will lease tower and ground space from Datapath on the parcel, for the emergency communications system, at a rate of $3,250 per month. The initial term is for 20 years with an option for four five-year extensions.
Benefits of this arrangement with Datapath are:
- The county will be able to lease space on a tower that is strategically located for the maximum effect of the emergency communications system without a large capital outlay from taxpayers.
- County residents and visitors in the Catawba area, to include portions of the Appalachian Trail, will receive greater cell phone coverage as wireless carriers co-locate on the tower. The expanded cell phone coverage will increase public safety by allowing callers to reach E-911 during emergencies.
~ Fincastle herald staff report
