A recent power outage at the Urbanna water tower triggered several phone calls from technology companies asking why their satellite and/or antenna were not working, reported Urbanna Town Administrator Holly Gailey at council’s September 26 meeting.
It appears there are communication antennas on the town water tower that the current town council was not aware of. “It didn’t come to light until they didn’t have power,” said Gailey.
Council member Barbara Hartley added that the town was contacted by a broadband company during a power interruption when they lost connectivity.
Council member Bill Smith, commented, “From what I understand they got up there, and put them up there, and never told us they were even up there.”
The tower can be a revenue stream that has been missed for many years, said Gailey. The water tower is more than 100 feet tall and located on a hill, providing a platform for communication.
Who, when, how?
Gailey said there are several questions surrounding the placement of a device on the town-owned tower. “We have locks on the ladder. How did they get them up there? Who is liable? How long have they been up there?”
There are at least three companies with antennas on the tower, said Gailey. “As we identify them we will begin some kind of negotiation on the use of our tower,” said Gailey.
Gailey said the Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) runs its sewage treatment monitoring equipment from the town water tower.
Council member Larry Chowning commented, “I can’t imagine that they [town council] let them put them up there without something. The companies ought to be able to tell us what they are doing up there.”
Andy Bury, who has been town attorney for about 10 years, said he does not recall any contracts being entered into to place antennas on the tower.
Gailey said the town attorney would be engaged to research this matter.
The antenna mystery may be discussed when council meets for a public work session meeting on Thursday, October 10, at 6:30 p.m.
