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Warner authorizes AT&T lease for communications tower on town forest after renewal-amendment fails
Summary
Voters authorized selectmen to enter a five-year lease (with automatic renewal terms intact) allowing AT&T to place a communications tower on town-owned land on North Road; an amendment to remove the automatic-renewal language was defeated. Residents raised questions about revenue, taxes and land restrictions.
Article 12 asked the town to authorize the selectmen to enter a five-year lease with automatic renewal options so AT&T could locate a communications tower on town-owned property on North Road (designated Warner Town Forest / Carriage Trail Acres). Selectman Chairman David Hartman provided background on AT&T’s request and described issues for voters to consider, including rent and tax implications, easement or land restrictions and possible future carriers.
During the discussion, Steve Bridgewater moved to amend Article 12 to "Remove from Article 12, the wording, '…with an automatic renewal for four (4) additional five (5) year terms…'" The amendment was seconded and defeated by paper ballot (majority against). Attendees also discussed how tower revenue might be designated (for example, to a separate town fund) and other lease terms; the moderator recorded a brief discussion on modifying a town fund at a future meeting to receive revenue from the tower. A motion to move the question followed, the article was voted by paper ballot and Article 12 passed as presented.
What this means: the selectmen are authorized to negotiate and enter the lease with AT&T under the terms as presented to voters, including multi-term renewal language; the town discussed, but did not finalize, how to account for or designate revenue from the lease.
