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County OKs tower camera agreement with Northwestern Energy pending legal sign‑off
Summary
Broadwater County commissioners agreed in principle to allow Northwestern Energy to place cameras on the county radio repeater tower to monitor lines and support fire detection; the agreement carries no monetary exchange and local fire personnel would receive access to camera feeds. Final approval is contingent on legal review and a fit‑check by Northwestern Energy.
Broadwater County commissioners voted April 1 to approve in concept an agreement allowing Northwestern Energy to mount monitoring cameras on a county radio repeater tower, provided final legal review clears the draft contract.
Ed Shindall, chief of the Broadwater Row Fire District, told commissioners Northwestern Energy approached the district to place cameras on the highest repeater tower on the hill to monitor for smoke, fires and line damage. He said the utility does not exchange money for the lease; in return the fire district would receive access to camera feeds to help identify smoke or fire locations more quickly. "The cameras will be used for Northwestern Energy to watch for fires or anything along the lines, their lines," Shindall said, adding that local responders would also be granted access.
Commissioners discussed the timing and logistics; staff said a Northwestern team must verify that the equipment fits and that there is room in the tower building before a contract is executed. The motion as made conditions approval on final legal department sign‑off. Commissioners approved the motion by voice vote.
Shindall said the cameras are expected to be relatively permanent and could be available by late May or early June, dependent on technical checks.
