PETE KLEIN

Express News Staff

INLET - AT&T is showing interest in establishing cell phone service in Inlet, according to Dan Schweigard, the regional manager for Independent Towers, Latham.

Schweigard produced a letter of intent from AT&T and mentioned he has a similar letter of intent from AT&T to establish cell phone service in Raquette Lake.

Schweigard attended the Inlet Town Board’s Dec. 13 meeting to learn if it would be interested in having the cell tower located on town property.

Town property is not the only game in town. According to Schweigard there are two other possible tower sites on private property. If all three possible site owners are interested in having a cell tower, Schweigard said AT&T would make the final decision.

“They are looking for the one that provides the best coverage,” said Schweigard.

Whichever site is chosen, Schweigard said, construction costs average about $200,000 but there is no charge to the site owner, who would lease the property to AT&T and receive on average about $1,000 per month in rent. AT&T would also pay the property tax on the land it leases.

The board expressed interest but also had some requests.

Councilman William Faro said he would want space for an emergency service antenna on the tower.

Supervisor John Frey said he would want the tower to resemble a pine tree to reduce its visibility.

Board members agreed a generator should be required, to provide cell phone service when there are power outages.

There was no indication when AT&T will decide on the best location, but Schweigard said he believes there is a good chance a tower could be constructed sometime in 2012.

Independent Towers was the lead agent for AT&T in constructing a cell phone tower on private property in the Town of Long Lake earlier this year.

SICK TIME BANK

Superintendent of High-ways-elect Shawn Hanson has offered to donate 240 hours of sick time to establish a Sick Time Bank for employees who exhaust their sick time due to extended illnesses.

Hanson said the sick time he has accumulate as a town employee will be lost at the end of the year, and he would prefer to see them used by those in need.

Board members said they are interested in the proposal but want to consult with Public Sector HR Consultants LLC, Glenville, to determine how to go about establishing and operating a sick time bank.

OTHER BUSINESS

The board approved a $500 donation to Central Adirondack Search and Rescue Team.

The board will hold its end of the year meeting to pay bills Dec. 29 at 7:30 p.m., its organizational meeting Tuesday, Jan. 3, at 7:30 p.m. and its first regular meeting of the year Tuesday, Jan. 10, at 7:30 p.m., all in Town Hall.