Bellefonte council tables Nittany Communications proposal to use Purdue Mountain tower for Project 25 radio system

Bellefonte Borough Council voted 4–3 to table consideration of a written agreement with Nittany Communications Group LLC that would allow the company to place Project 25 two‑way radio equipment at the borough‑owned Purdue Mountain tower.

The council first considered a motion to form a written agreement, moved by Councilmember Johnson and seconded by Councilmember Bracknell. Several councilmembers asked for more information, saying the materials in the packet were undated and lacked technical and contractual detail. A motion to table the proposal until the next meeting passed on a 4–3 roll call.

David Mason, director of technical services and chief executive officer of Nittany Communications, told council the system the company is installing is experimental and intended to be tested for coverage and performance. He said the company has verbal commitments from Centre County Search and Rescue to use the system as an auxiliary communications path. "We're labeling it as experimental for the time being until we get it to the point where we would like to get it," Mason said.

Mason said Nittany Communications would own the equipment at the tower and that the system would not be directly connected to county 9‑1‑1 infrastructure; any collaboration between the company and 9‑1‑1 would be arranged separately by the relevant public agencies. He said the equipment is rack‑mounted and relatively modular, so it could be removed or relocated if needed.

Councilmembers asked several follow‑up questions about packet documentation, potential interference with existing equipment at the site, and procedures for removing equipment at end of life. The council voted to table the item to the next meeting so staff could request additional information and draft any needed agreement language.