COMMUNICATIONS
& TECHNOLOGY AD HOC COMMITTEE
October 20, 2010
** NOT APPROVED
Members Present:
D. Pullen, M. Healy, J. Scott, and C. Crandall
Absent:
M. Johnsen
Others Present: F.
Sinclair, K. LaForge, J. Margeson, T. Miner, M. Alger, T. Ross, B.
Rigby-Riehle, R. Hall, Sheriff-Elect R. Whitney, S. Torrey, M. Saia, K. Hooker,
D. Lavery, and R. Zink
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 10:01 a.m. by Chairman Dave Pullen.
Approval
of Minutes
A motion was made by Legislator Healy,
seconded by Jerry Scott and carried 4-0; w/1 absent, to approve the minutes of July
21, 2010.
OLD
BUSINESS / UPDATES
Mike Saia reported he will be
responsible for the installation of the new tower. The status to-date is the majority of the
tower is finished in the fabrication shop with half being galvanized. He is meeting the foundation contractor today
and excavation will start within the next two weeks. He has the layout of property and is now
looking for direction from the county on site location for installation. Legislator Sinclair asked that the new tower
be put as close to the existing tower as possible. M. Saia commented there is concern with
existing guide wires and access by the crane and they will put the tower just
outside the interior fence line, so as not to disturb the guide wires to first
tower. Legislator Sinclair asked of
original guide wires could be removed to allow tower to be installed inside
fence. M. Saia will work around wires to
avoid building a new fence, but he has to work around the crane as well, as
safety to the original tower and guide wires is critical. There was discussion regarding cost to put
tower inside original fence or possibly removing one side of fence so tower is
in the perimeter of triangle. The outer
fence will not be affected.
There was consensus that Russ Hall of
Fire Service will be the contact person for Mike Saia.
There was discussion regarding the
construction of a new support building to house tower equipment. M. Saia reported he can provide, at no cost
to the county, a stand-alone cabinet building that is temperature controlled to
store the equipment. This will be a
temporary structure until such time the County can fund the construction of a
new building. The county will have to
supply the power to cabinet. It is not
in the best interest to house the equipment in the current building, as it will
be a fire hazard. His temporary cabinet
is more secure than the existing building in place.
There was further discussion on the
cost for a new building and the proposal for a turn-key 12x30 concrete
building, temperature controlled, would be approximately $44,850. This size is adequate for all equipment to be
housed. Equipment has grown and there is
no more space in the current structure.
The question was raised regarding a new concrete building versus
temporary cabinet. M. Saia remarked
there is no room in the temporary cabinet for anything else. It won’t support other users to the tower. R.
Hall commented a new building provides more versatility. Future interfacing would create more cabinets
to be in place, whereas the new building can house everything. Chairman Pullen recommended that the
committee move to provide a new building as soon as possible. R. Hall recommended proceeding if funds are
available. It needs to be done, but done
right. Chairman Pullen asked the
committee for any thoughts and/or suggestions. Legislative Chairman Crandall has met with
Ways & Means Committee to look into funds available. There is a possibility to share the cost
between 2010 and 2011 budgets. They will
also look into possible funding through outside sources. R. Hall commented that
Legislator Healy commented we need an
overall perspective of tower usage and formulate a plan to govern it. We need to access the local law and be
informed when new towers are going up. There
was discussion of a creating a Comprehensive County Plan. Chairman Pullen suggested finding out what
other towers are available and plan for the future. Legislative Chairman Crandall suggested the
need for a plan of existing and future buildings, towers, etc. and it should be
referred to the
Communications
System / Upgrades
– There is the need of a review of the communications systems, upgrades
underway, grants in play or future opportunities, existing committees and
coordination of efforts with the
Southern
Tier West – Four
of six towns have been constructed; Swain, Baldwin Hill, Black Creek area and
broadband from Caneadea to Rushford.
There is currently 320-340 customers and a
waiting list of 100, which will be addressed with the completion of the
Chairman Pullen commented that if any
funding is available, and a tower is available, then funds should be utilized
to add equipment versus building a new tower.
They have explored the concept and the hardest part with grant funding
is the match. It is difficult to come by
for any county and usually in-kind services are provided as the match (i.e.
rental fees). Possibly work with all
three counties (Chautauqua/Allegany/Cattaraugus) at once to address the areas
not being served and use the county match for that.
There was discussion regarding
coordination of efforts and committees.
Legislator Sinclair suggested to the Chairman and Administrator to
investigate such a structure. Hopefully
Southern Tier West will continue to work with us towards these goals. Chairman Pullen requested suggestions on who
should be on this task force.
Legislative Chairman Crandall said he will work with J. Margeson and
possibly just have an expansion to this committee. He also thanked Richard Zink for being here
today.
A motion was made by J. Scott;
seconded by Legislator Healy and carried to adjourn the meeting at 11:02 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Cathleen L. Whitfield
Recording Secretary