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Waldwick council hears plan to assume Crown Castle monopole; consultant cites $77,000 up‑front and recurring revenue potential
Summary
Hoplight consultant Peter Lup urged the borough to terminate Crown Castle's lease at 19 Industrial Way and assume ownership of the monopole; the council included a resolution (2025‑227) on the consent agenda to not renew the lease and assume the pole, and the item was approved as part of the consent agenda.
The Borough of Waldwick heard a presentation on a plan to take ownership of a monopole at 19 Industrial Way and re‑market antenna space after Hoplight Communications consultant Peter Lup said the borough could immediately realize $77,000 and secure recurring payments from new tenants.
"We have an opportunity now to monetize and I identified an ability ... to get another $77,000 immediately," Peter Lup said during the council meeting, estimating additional recurring revenue of roughly $40,000 a year if Dish installs equipment and up to about $80,000 a year from a high‑frequency trading customer.
Lup told the council the current lease with Crown Castle International expires Aug. 17, and his recommendation was to send a termination notice, assume ownership of the tower and run a competitive process to re‑let antenna space to tenants. He said he has discussed the plan with carriers and has not heard objections so far.
Council members asked legal and operational questions. Lup said the borough would carry insurance on the tower (he estimated $3,000–$5,000 annually) and that carriers would be contractually responsible for structural inspections and maintenance. The consultant described similar arrangements in nearby municipalities where the borough assumed ownership of monopoles.
The council included "choosing not to renew the Crown Castle lease and to assume ownership of the monopole at 19 Industrial Park" (Resolution 2025‑227) in its consent agenda and approved the consent agenda by roll call. The consent list also included a $767,000 fair‑and‑open contract award for roofing and HVAC at the police firing range and multiple personnel appointments and routine items.
Officials said the recommendation now moves the issue into the administrative phase, where the borough attorney and business administrator will review contract language, financial terms and next steps before any termination notice is sent or a transfer is finalized.
No formal timetable for transfer or a projected budgetary table showing net revenue after insurance, legal fees and transition costs was presented at the meeting; consultants and staff said those details would be addressed in subsequent staff work and are contingent on carrier contracts and any legal constraints of the existing lease.
Outcome: Resolution 2025‑227 (not to renew Crown Castle lease; assume monopole ownership) was listed on the consent agenda and approved by the governing body as read by the clerk.
