Damascus may get a cell tower

By TOM KANE

DAMASCUS, PA ¾ Technology improvements may make it possible to make a cell phone call in Damascus. Wireless Edge, an Orange County, NY company, is in negotiation with Damascus Township to locate a tower on township property. It approached the board of supervisors on August 21, saying that a cell tower can work effectively and be fiscally viable if located on township property.

In recent years, other tower companies approached the township but abandoned their proposals because of technical difficulties and restrictions on building in the river corridor.

“This time, it might work,” said supervisor Jeff Dexter, who is handling the negotiations.

First off, new technology is able to overcome the difficulty with the hilly terrain, Dexter said. Because of the topography, companies in the past would have to build many towers for the signal to be easily received and sent. “That may not be necessary now,” Dexter said. “They are telling me that towers don’t have to be as high on the peak of a hill as they used to be. They can shape how the signal is sent out differently than in the past.”

Another positive point about the company’s offer is that they would allow many carriers to have a place on the tower.

“They have agreed to this important point, which would avoid the need for another company to come in and build its own tower,” he said.

The township would receive continual revenue and would be provided with service for its radios. “During the last storm, we were unable to communicate with our workers,” Dexter said. “This way we would have communication ability.”

The other issue that blocked the construction of a cell tower was the township ordinance against building in the river corridor.

“We investigated the terrain and it became clear that a tower could be built on township property without being in the river district,” he said.

Another feature of the agreement is that if the tower had to be taken down, the company would pay for it.

“The tower could be 150 feet and still be effective,” he said. Towers over 150 feet must have a light, which would add to the expense of construction.

The company will return to the township after making some technical investigations and answering the township’s questions.

“We will be in a better position to talk to them at the next meeting on September 21,” said supervisor chairman Bill Gager.