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Sagadahoc County OKs ARPA interest to cover FCC reapplication as radio tower rollout is delayed
Summary
After learning the county’s prior FCC license was terminated for non‑construction, commissioners unanimously authorized using ARPA interest to pay for a new FCC application (estimated $6,000–$7,000) as tower construction and microwave linking continue to face schedule, power and permitting hurdles.
Sagadahoc County commissioners voted Oct. 28 to authorize use of interest earned on ARPA funds to pay for a new Federal Communications Commission application after county project staff disclosed the county’s prior radio‑system license was terminated for non‑construction.
Project Manager Norm Boucher told the board that West Bath’s tower construction is complete but Merritt Hill and Higgins Hill remain under construction, and the county cannot bring the system fully online until microwave links, power connections and FCC licensing are in place. "At the end of August, the FCC sent a termination letter advising that the license would be terminated due to non‑construction," Boucher said, describing how a petition for reconsideration was filed and then stalled when the federal government temporarily shut down.
The commissioners debated whether to await the FCC’s reconsideration or withdraw and refile. Boucher recommended resubmitting the application to restart regulatory timelines; he estimated the reapplication would cost about $6,000–$7,000 for coordination and filings. Commissioner McPhee moved to authorize an expenditure from ARPA interest for the FCC application process; Commissioner Crosby seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners and staff outlined several constraints that could still push the system’s go‑live date beyond current targets. Communications Director Mike Carter and Boucher said some sites lack final power connections from the utility, and site acquisition delays have slowed the microwave network that will link towers. Boucher said that even if equipment installation begins in the spring, a license or clearance is required before transmitters can be activated. He noted a Special Temporary Authorization (STA) could be sought in certain public‑safety circumstances but said it is not guaranteed.
Commissioner Charles Crosby framed the risk bluntly: "It’s possible that we could basically be screwed with towers that are sitting up there that we can’t even use," he said, voicing concern that construction could finish while licensing lags. Boucher replied there are procedural options and that APCO and frequency coordinators do the heavy lifting before submission, which reduces—but does not eliminate—technical risk.
The board discussed whether to seek congressional assistance to press the FCC on the pending reconsideration, but Boucher cautioned that political escalation often slows processing and recommended preparing to reapply as soon as the licensing portal reopens. Finance Director Jill Flaherty said the ARPA interest account currently accrues roughly $2,000 a month and has an overall balance of about $1.5 million; commissioners agreed the modest reapplication cost could be covered from interest without drawing on operating funds.
The vote authorizes staff to use ARPA interest to cover the FCC filing and related coordination work. Commissioners emphasized their primary goal remains establishing reliable public‑safety communications; commercial leasing and revenue opportunities for tower space will be pursued later, after the system is operational.
What’s next: staff will engage APCO/frequency coordinators and RCM (the county’s radio contractor) to prepare and submit the new FCC application when the licensing portal reopens; construction and equipment installation schedules remain contingent on weather, contractor availability and final utility connections.
