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Merrimack council approves grant funds to cover 800‑MHz tower cost increases
Summary
On Oct. 20 the Merrimack Town Council authorized use of Invest New Hampshire grant money to cover cost increases on an 800‑MHz communications tower project after staff described ledge, bigger equipment and a required larger generator. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.
The Merrimack Town Council on Oct. 20 approved using previously accepted municipal grant funds to cover increased costs on the town’s 800‑megahertz communications tower project, council members said at a meeting in the Matthew Thornton Room.
Town Manager Paul McCallie told the council that while the town previously received federal funding for equipment, construction costs have risen since the grant application and the project now needs additional funds. He described three drivers of the overrun: ledge discovered during test borings that requires a larger pad, a larger tower footprint than originally estimated, and a requirement for a larger generator for dispatch and backup power. “The worst thing I wanna do is keep coming back to the council saying, okay, give me more money for that,” McCallie said, asking for authority to allocate up to the requested grant funds so staff would not need repeated supplemental approvals.
Staff also said the project must include a microwave link facing Nashua to maintain interoperability because Merrimack will be operating on Nashua’s 800 MHz system; locating on a Verizon monopole site reduced some tower costs but added equipment needs. Project schedule slipped after construction work was delayed during the local turtle mating season; staff said excavation and equipment deliveries are in process with multi‑week lead times.
A councilor moved to extend available Invest New Hampshire municipal per‑unit grant funds to the tower project and to authorize the town manager to sign necessary paperwork. The motion text as read in the meeting record referenced $408,000; McCallie had discussed a $480,000 request in his presentation and said any unused portion would be repurposed by the town. The motion passed by voice vote with the council recorded as 6–0–0 in favor.
The council’s authorization allows staff to proceed with ordering components and continuing construction under the adjusted timeline; councilors and staff said they expect to return with pictures and a further update when the tower is functioning.
The council’s action amends how previously accepted state grant monies are to be allocated; councilors said the funds will only be spent on the tower project and any unused amount will be returned to be repurposed by the town.
Council vote: motion carried by voice vote (recorded 6–0–0).
