A Pennsylvania county recently increased budgeted expenses for a project to build a new wireless emergency communications network. Commissioners of Lawrence County approved certain change orders at a meeting last week, which will raise the cost of the tower project to $2.1 million. This amount includes $30,000 spent to ensure one of two new towers was not built on an American Indian burial ground. The increased costs also include extra expenses incurred while constructing the foundations for both towers located in unstable soil in Washington and Pulaski Townships.
Lawrence County Public Safety Director Brian Melcer told the Ellwood City Ledger that the county has still decreased its initial projected costs by renting space on three existing towers, instead of building new towers.
The site location for one tower, located in the Pulaski Township, fell in the territory where traditional American Indian artifacts could have been located. In this type of situation, FCC regulations require a tribal monitor to be present during construction to ensure no artifacts are disturbed. Lawrence County employed a monitor associated with the Chippewa and Cree Tribes, which was where the county accrued its $30,000 expense.
The new cell tower network being constructed is designed to improve the coverage for emergency service workers throughout Lawrence County. Before installation began, there were several gaps in service, especially in areas of high or low elevation. As a whole, the network will comprise two new towers, seven towers leased from outside sources, and an additional non-tower facility owned by the county.
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