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Selectmen authorize chairman to execute amateur radio agreement once club establishes legal entity and insurance
Summary
The board voted to authorize the chair to execute an agreement with the Caney Hill Amateur Radio Team, contingent on the club establishing a legal identity, providing contact information and carrying appropriate insurance; the proposal would add four repeaters to improve local backup communications.
The Henniker Board of Selectmen on Jan. 20 authorized the board chairman to execute an agreement with a volunteer amateur radio group after staff and the group identified several administrative items that must be completed first.
Tim Payson (presented to the board as representing the Caney Hill Amateur Radio Team) described plans to install four antennas and associated repeaters on the existing communications tower to provide expanded VHF and UHF coverage for emergency backup communications. Payson said the antennas would be fixed (not to exceed 10 feet each), installed by experienced tower contractors, include lightning protection and require one small rack in the town's communications enclosure.
Staff noted the draft agreement mirrors arrangements used in other communities and that PrimeX (town liability reviewer) had reviewed the draft for exposure. The board and staff identified outstanding items: the club must form or provide a legal entity to contract with the town, provide a contact/address, show insurance and fill several appendices, including frequency coordination details.
A motion to authorize the Board of Selectmen chairman to execute the agreement pending those conditions carried unanimously. Staff said the signed agreement would include termination-for-convenience language and an initial three-year term with optional renewals, subject to the final negotiated terms.
Next steps: the group will finalize a legal entity and insurance and return completed appendices; once those items are complete the chair will be authorized to sign the agreement.
