Council forms Telecommunications Reliability Task Force to study cellular coverage and connectivity

The Harpers Ferry Town Council voted 4-0 on Sept. 11 to form an ad hoc three-person Telecommunications Reliability Task Force to consolidate information about cellular reception, engage businesses and residents, and develop a recommendation and implementation plan for improving service.

Councilmember Jesse was nominated to chair the group and the council added language specifying a three-member start with an eye toward future expansion to five members. The task force’s scope will include gathering input from local businesses and residents; preparing a concise lobbying and grant package; assessing options including improving cellular backhaul, encouraging carrier investment in 4G/5G infrastructure, and, as an extreme fallback, municipal Wi‑Fi; and coordinating with partner agencies and the police department on operational communications needs.

During discussion councilmembers and staff described technical constraints that affect local cellular service: seasonal foliage can reduce signal strength (several members noted service often improves when leaves are off trees), the town’s existing backhaul capacity is limited and carriers are more likely to invest where backhaul is available. Staff and councilmembers named the Appalachian Regional Commission and other grant sources as potential funding avenues and said the task force’s work would help position the town to apply for those grants.

Councilmembers discussed committee format and membership: the initial three seats were envisioned as internal (council members or staff) who would assemble outreach sessions with business and community stakeholders; the task force may later add outside representatives such as business owners and technical advisors. Council emphasized the ad hoc nature of the group and that the body’s membership and term would be flexible to secure stakeholder participation.

The council approved the motion to form the ad hoc committee by unanimous vote and adopted the name Telecommunications Reliability Task Force. Council said the group is expected to do much of its preparatory work in the coming months, with public engagement and formal recommendations anticipated in the spring.

Clarifying details: the motion established a three-person committee with potential future expansion to five members; Jesse was named to lead the committee; the committee is ad hoc and intended to coordinate stakeholder outreach and grant/advocacy preparation.