Reception and revenue predicted to improve with new tower
By: Stephanie Brown
MONROE Officials say a new cell tower on Gravel Hill-Spotswood Road will improve cell phone reception in the area and generate revenue for the township.
The Township Council approved a resolution Wednesday night accepting Verizon Wireless’s bid to build a new tower on township property next to the Public Works facility.
The township began soliciting bids in July after residents had voiced their dissatisfaction over the area’s poor reception, said Businesses Administrator Wayne Hamilton.
New York SMSA of Branchburg, doing business as Verizon Wireless, was the only bidder.
Verizon will lease the township property for five years at $2,001 a month totaling $24,012 a year, Mr. Hamilton said.
Verizon will pay for tower’s construction, maintenance and repairs, according to the bid specifications. Mr. Hamilton said construction could start over the next six to nine months. Other carriers would be able to rent space on the cell tower after it is built.
Mr. Hamilton said the northern section of town is a desirable location for the cell tower.
"The property is quite a distance from residential dwellings it’s well insulated won’t interfere with the public works operation, and is in a desirable location to increase coverage," he said.
Mr. Hamilton also said that, since the tower is on township property instead of private property, the revenue gained from the lease agreement would benefit taxpayers.
The contract is renewable for four, five-year terms upon mutual acceptance, he said.
The maximum height of the tower shall not exceed 220 feet and the tower shall be designed to accommodate five carriers at 10 feet apart, according to the bid site plan specifications. The foundation or pad design must match the design requirements of the tower.
Each carrier is permitted to install or construct one accessory/ancillary building or equipment cabinet concrete platform within the site.
Each antenna system installed cannot have more than 12 antennas, two GPS antennas and one microwave dish.
The tower site should be enclosed by a fence at least 6 feet high and should include a locking security gate.
A licensed professional engineer must certify the structural integrity of the tower and site.

