The Colfax County Commission unanimously approved a wireless-tower application on Jan. 14 to replace an existing facility on Eagle Tail Mesa, with the carrier agreeing to a fenced compound and required insurance and bond amounts.

Dean Williamson, agent for Wireless Tower Solutions, told the commission the carrier applied to replace an existing structure with a 100-foot monopole because the older tower could not safely support the proposed loading. He said the application included an engineering letter, soil study, FCC licensing, structural analysis and a site lease.

Polly Patrick, program manager for the project, said the carrier’s primary goal on these rural sites is to remove Chinese-made equipment from the infrastructure and replace it with newer gear. “We’re not increasing our coverage, but there will be a residual effect when we replace the existing equipment … the end users should see a better service,” Patrick said.

Commissioners discussed whether the new site should include a perimeter fence. The applicant said the existing site had operated without fencing, but ComNet agreed to install a fence if required by the county ordinance. The county’s planning agent recommended approval whether the commission required the fence or granted relief, and the commission approved the application with the fence requirement.

Clarifying points from the record: the application showed the tower is designed to accept additional collocators, the structural analysis was stamped by a New Mexico professional engineer, and the posting and adjacent-owner notification requirements were met. The applicant provided a $75,000 bond and certificates of insurance listing Colfax County as an additional insured.

Action taken: motion to approve the tower application with the fence requirement passed by roll call. The record shows Commissioners Curran, Trujillo and Chairman Tatum voting yes during the roll call; the motion carried.