Hamilton County (NY) supervisors are urging New York state officials to address public safety concerns caused by poor communications infrastructure in the North Country’s mountainous terrain. During a recent meeting, according to the Adirondack Explorer, the supervisors asked Alison Webbinaro, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s regional representative, to amplify their concerns, emphasizing that first responders and police officers are endangered by the lack of reliable radio and cellular service.
“We’re in a pretty united front on this one,” said Clay Arsenault, chair of the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors.
Police officers said they struggle to radio in license plates during traffic stops, posing risks during enforcement. First responders testified to sometimes having to leave emergency scenes to establish radio contact, delaying life-saving assistance.
The status of some of the tower projects for the area include:
- Cathead Mountain Tower – No longer moving forward due to challenges in getting a Constitutional amendment for an access road through Forest Preserve land.
- Morehouse Tower – Currently out for bid, moving forward.
- Hope & Arietta Towers – Applications not yet approved by the Adirondack Park Agency.
Arietta, however, faces significant siting obstacles as 94 percent of the town is within Forest Preserve land, where tree cutting is prohibited.
“We just don’t have a lot of options,” Hamilton County Emergency Services Director Don Rhodes told the Adirondack Explorer.
Conservationists argue that protecting the Adirondack Park’s “unbroken wild vistas” is more important than new towers. Claudia Braymer, executive director of Protect the Adirondacks, insists that the current permitting process is working properly and that the APA routinely approves towers where appropriate.
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