Calvert County Approves Two Communications Towers Updates For Public Safety Networks

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — The Calvert Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved agreements for updates to two communications towers in the county during their March 3 meeting. The updates were approved as part of the consent agenda.

According to a memo from Dave McDowell, director of public safety, it was determined during the detailed design review for the new Public Safety Radio System that new communications towers were needed in order to assist with meeting coverage requirements.

The new towers were designed and constructed to allow outside carriers or vendors the ability to install equipment on them and continue to meet Planning and Zoning requirements.

McDowell requested that the county enter into a lease agreement with CELLCO Partnership, doing business as Verizon Wireless, to install equipment on the Huntingtown tower site and the Emmanuel Church tower site.

Calvert County will receive $3,500 per month from the agreements, with annual escalation increases as specified in the lease agreement. The revenue generated will be deposited into the county’s General Fund under Tower Revenue.

The memo did not specify what kind of updates were required to the towers or what additional requirements they would fulfill for the Public Safety Radio System.