Cell tower may be built on h.s. grounds BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN - Students of Middletown High School South may be asking, "Can you hear me now?," after the approval of a bid to construct a cell tower on school grounds. At the Oct. 23 Board of Education meeting, approval was given to New York SMSA Limited Partnership, representing Verizon Wireless, to lease the land to build the tower. The structure of the rent is $31,299 for the first year, then $32,238, $33,205, $34,201 and $35,227 for each following year. Board Vice President Laura Agin made sure to tell the board that this was only the first step in the process, and that the matter would now have to go before the Township Committee in order to pass. "This is only us approving the lease," Agin said. "Now it has to go to the local municipal [government]. If it fails, then the matter comes back to us." In addition to the money earned through the base rent, the Board of Education will receive 40 percent of all rent collected for future co-locators. Co-location is when a cell tower is owned by one company and space is paid for by another company to attach its own antennas on the tower. The total number of co-locators that can be added to the tower is three. Another part of the deal states that the contract can be renewed up to four additional five-year periods at annual rent amounts of $36,284 (years 6-10), $42,063 (years 11-15), $48,763 (years 16- 20) and $56,531 (years 21-25). The total value of the lease is $1,084,375 over 25 years plus 40 percent of all rent from any three of the additional co-locators. Board member Joan Minnuies voted against approving the deal, saying she wanted to have a public hearing before they would pass something like this. "I don't live in that area where they are putting the cell tower," Minnuies said. "I know if I did, would like to have my voice heard on the record if I approve of this or not." The project must now gain approval from the Middletown Township Committee as well as the state commissioner of education. Mayor Gerard Scharfenberger said that the Township Committee has yet to receive information about the specifics of the land lease, but expects it shortly. The committee was aware that the lease was up for bid, he said, and a date for their vote and public hearing on the matter has not yet been set.