Robbinsville – The AT&T cell tower at Wachacha Bald may be rebuilt, but the earliest start of construction would be one year from now, according to AT&T’s Stephen Howard.
The Senior Real Estate and Construction Manager presented a workshop to the Graham County Board of Commissioners prior to their regular meeting Dec. 17, during which he highlighted the advantages of rebuilding the tower, which included enabling the nationwide first responder network – FirstNET – to operate in Graham County, as well as improving cell service for AT&T cell customers.
The existing tower – which failed a structural analysis test – is 110 feet tall. Rebuilt, it would stand 140-150 feet, with the extra height making better service possible.
“This new tower would provide opportunities for other carriers, as well,” said Howard. “That has the potential to improve cell service for everybody.”
News and notes from the regular meeting included:
* Transit Director Juanita Colvard informed the board that the Rural Operating Assistance Program Grant is ready to submit in an amount $16,992 above previous applications. The board gave Colvard the go-ahead to submit the application.
* Director of Economic Development Sophia Paulos presented plans to improve the facades of four buildings on Robbinsville’s Main Street.
Construction is scheduled to begin in February. Paulos also informed the board that REVVED UP is now officially a 501c (3) non-profit organization, which means that the group “will now be able to seek grant funding on their own and that contributions will now be tax deductible.”
Paulos commended REVVED UP on their “incredible hard work.”
* County Manager Becky Garland then notified the board that the new ambulance should be ready early January and that a year-end financial accounting will be available to the public within a few months. Garland also reported that property tax collections for November were “pretty heathy” and that sales tax collections have risen about five percent.
* Project Manager Jason Marino presented plans for the new cemetery and recreation buildings as well as renovations for the board of elections.
“We are excited to be moving out of the planning phase and into the construction phase soon,” Marino said.