Commission approves temporary tower and vendor to move dispatch antennas during roof replacement

Strafford County commissioners approved a plan to move dispatch antennas and microwave dishes off the public-safety building roof to allow a funded roof replacement project to proceed.

Staff told commissioners the roof project is supported by a $1.4 million grant and that the immediate priority is moving radio and dispatch equipment to a temporary tower so contractors can remove stanchions and complete roofing work. County staff proposed installing a portable tower in the parking lot outside the fence and later constructing an approximately 80-foot permanent mast adjacent to the dispatch wall to keep antennas off the new roof.

Officials said only one vendor could meet the project's timing; staff confirmed the vendor would hold previously quoted prices if the commission approved the work. The county reported the rental and equipment move would cost about $35,000 and be in place through Sept. 26; staff said the permanent mast would be in the neighborhood of $300,000 with contingency. Staff said there will be some leftover roof grant funds and county funds to cover the tower work if approved.

Commissioners moved and seconded a motion to proceed, including any required bid waivers given the limited vendor market. The clerk recorded a roll call in which Commissioner Joe Petrie voted yes and another commissioner recorded yes; the motion was approved. Staff said they will forward digital purchase documents to the clerk and proceed with contracting with Green Mountain Communications, an in-state company named in the discussion.

Staff estimated vendors could remove equipment from the roof in about two weeks after work begins, and said some removal and roof-manufacturing work could proceed simultaneously. They also said the county built redundancy into the communications system and expects minimal downtime while equipment is moved.

The commission noted that once equipment is relocated and the permanent mast is installed, the communications infrastructure will be more easily expandable and less exposed to tree interference. County staff asked commissioners to approve the temporary solution immediately so Murphy (the contractor awarded the roofing bid) can remove steel stanchions and allow roofing work to proceed.