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Saltville council approves Smyth County agreement to maintain regional emergency communications site
Summary
The Town Council unanimously approved a memorandum with Smyth County allowing continued county maintenance and upgrades of the emergency communications compound at 551 Campbell Drive (the 'Edgewood Tower' site). The town retains property ownership while the county keeps equipment ownership and responsibility for operations.
The Saltville Town Council voted April 8 to approve a Memorandum of Understanding with Smyth County that formalizes county maintenance and future upgrades of the regional emergency communications compound located at 551 Campbell Drive, commonly referenced in the packet as the Edgewood Tower site.
Town Manager Cecile Rosenbaum told the council the county would maintain the site and oversee the planned upgrade of tower and building infrastructure. "She stated that the county would be maintaining it," Rosenbaum said during her presentation. The MOU in the meeting packet states that the Town will retain property ownership while Smyth and Washington counties will retain ownership of communications equipment and be responsible for construction, maintenance, utilities and insurance.
The MOU, included in the council packet and discussed in open session, specifies that the county will administer construction contracts, be responsible for site preparation (grading, drainage, pads), and maintain required inspections and repairs. It also gives Smyth County the right of first refusal should the town decide to sell the property and sets a 30‑day termination provision after an initial five‑year period.
Council members asked procedural and operational questions and received assurance from the town attorney that the agreement as drafted was acceptable. On a roll-call vote the council approved the MOU as written; all five council members present voted Aye.
The agreement places routine operational responsibility and capital upgrade work with Smyth County’s Department of Public Safety while preserving the town’s property interest at 551 Campbell Drive. Council members said they expect the county to keep the town updated on construction timelines and any costs associated with non‑routine work.
The council did not vote to transfer property title. The motion recorded in the meeting minutes authorized approval of the MOU as written and instructs staff to move forward with the operational arrangement. The town will receive updates as county-led site work proceeds.
