Vital statistics: generates $24,000 in revenue for town with annual escalators
After three years of starts and stops, a Verizon tower is finally bringing much needed service to the downtown Stockbridge area. The 125-foot tower sits just one mile outside of the downtown in a rural setting and is welcomed by merchants, public safety officers, homeowners, and vacationers, reported the Brattleboro Reformer.
“The business community is thrilled that we now have reliable cellular service in town,” said Barbara Zanetti, executive director of the Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce. “Cell service has become a necessity for personal and public safety and for economic growth. It is essential to any vibrant community, especially one like Stockbridge that relies on tourism.”
Former Selectman Stephen Shatz, who oversaw the project since its inception, said the tower is poised for co-location and can easily accommodate antennas to serve AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile. “Verizon Wireless welcomes co-locators,” he said.
The economic impact for the town is a positive one as well, poised to generate approximately $24,000 of income in the first year of Verizon Wireless’s 20-year lease on the property, with increases in subsequent years. Should other wireless carriers install antennas on the tower, the town will receive half of that income for leasing.
The residents have been supportive of the structure. Police Chief Rick Wilcox cited “a critical need” for better signals in the event of a medical emergency and a historic inn pointed out that tourism generates more than $8 million annually for the town, both bolstering for improved service.
The tower finally went live last Thursday, with testing showing improved signal strength. Shatz commented, “Years of drama leading to a low hum,” during a visit to the tower and its nearly noiseless generator on Monday.
July 19, 2017
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