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EMA director to offer Hunt Hill radio site to Newcastle after maintenance challenges
Summary
Lincoln County EMA told commissioners it cannot sustain the solar-powered Hunt Hill AM transmitter and will seek to terminate its MOU and offer the shed, solar array and equipment to Newcastle Fire (contingent on landowner consent); the board authorized outreach to Newcastle.
The Lincoln County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) reported persistent maintenance and power problems at the Hunt Hill site in Newcastle, where a Homeland Security'funded AM transmitter and a fire-repeater were installed several years ago.
EMA staff said the mountaintop site runs on solar and that, during some winters, the AM transmitter must be shut down so Newcastle fire operations maintain priority. The EMA director told commissioners that routine upkeep is time-consuming and that the office has had to dispatch staff after storms to clean panels and start generators. Because the county lacks capacity to maintain the site and the tower is owned by the landowner, EMA proposed sending a notice of termination of use to the landowner and offering Newcastle Fire the shed, solar array and equipment, contingent on the landowner's approval and Newcastle's willingness to assume maintenance and operations.
The chair asked whether the arrangement could be assigned to Newcastle; EMA staff said the landowner would have to approve any assignment. The board voted to authorize the EMA director to contact Newcastle and proceed with the approach set out in the county's contract (which requires up to a year's notice for termination), and to report back to commissioners.
Commission discussion noted the Hunt Hill AM transmitter's limited coverage area (principally Newcastle) and that the landowner retains ownership of the tower. The motion to authorize the contacts and next steps carried 3-0.
