Addison officials Nov. 2 voted to deline a $136,569 offer from Unison Site Management to purchase its lease holding on the land upon which the cell tower behind Fire Station #2 sits.
Three years ago American Telephone & Telegraph (AT&T) constructed the tower on township-owned property behind the fire station in Lakeville.
AT&T Wireless, Verizon, Nextel and Voice-stream are the telecommunications systems currently utilizing the tower. As lease holder of the land on which the tower sits, the township receives $1,204.12 per month in rental fees from AT&T. In turn, AT&T receives fees from Verizon, Nextel and Voice-stream for their use of the tower.
Although Unison Site Management’s offer appeared to be lucrative on the surface, it was only equal to about 9? years worth of the current monthly rent and Supervisor Bob Koski said the tower could possibly last for 100 years, thereby generating much more than Unison’s offer.
‘I just don’t think it’s a good idea,? Koski said, adding there’s room on the tower for one more user, which could provide the township with additional revenue.
Township Attorney Robert Davis told the board he was unsure of Unison Site Management’s stability given that based on his research of the company’s track record, it would most likely sell the lease holding within two years. ‘It just doesn’t seem viable,? Davis said.
As a result of the board’s decision to decline Unison’s offer, Addison Township will continue hold the land lease on the tower property.
Fire Chief George Spencer said he’s pleased with the township’s decision. When AT&T built the tower three years ago, the company allowed the fire department to place its emergency communication antenna atop it at no charge.