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Staff recommends concentrating town resources on three cell‑service projects to deliver FY26 progress
Summary
Town staff recommended focusing resources in fiscal 2026 on an umbrella Verizon project, an AT&T small‑cell project, and a multi‑carrier landfill tower to avoid spreading staff capacity across many initiatives; select board members discussed sequencing, gaps and long‑term carrier engagement.
Town staff presented an update on efforts to improve cell service in West Concord and the broader district and recommended concentrating town resources in FY26 on three priority infrastructure projects: an umbrella installation with Verizon, a small‑cell deployment with AT&T, and a multi‑carrier tower at the landfill.
Megan, the staff lead, said the three projects will require sustained coordination with carriers, consultants and community outreach and that focusing effort in FY26 increases the likelihood of complete delivery rather than diluting attention over multiple parallel efforts. She noted the landfill location could hold up to four carriers and that securing the center projects may make the town more attractive to carriers for other sites.
Board members agreed to slow work in other West Concord areas for now while urging staff to accelerate Concord Center work; members emphasized that carrier‑specific coverage gaps require targeted study and that more outreach with the community and carriers will be necessary to finalize alternative site proposals.
Why it matters: residents and businesses have repeatedly raised safety and coverage concerns; the board faces a tradeoff between quick wins in defined locations and a broader, longer study of coverage gaps across carriers.
What’s next: staff will continue technical assessment and community outreach; any RFPs or site decisions will return to the board for approvals and potential land‑use coordination.
