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July 14, 2010

County opts to buy, not lease, 911 tower

The acquisition of land on Penobscot Mountain is near the site of previous structure.

Luzerne County officials plan to buy land in Fairview Township for a new 911 communications tower, which will end the county’s need to lease a tower on privately owned land nearby.

Read more Luzerne County Government articles

County advises 911 managers to speak

Luzerne County officials have been meeting with 911 managers urging them to report suspected wrongdoing to the administration, Commissioner Chairwoman Maryanne Petrilla said Tuesday.

The reminder stems from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s recent visit to the county 911 center, she said.

Former County Public Safety Director Alan Pugh, who oversaw operations at the center from 2004 until his resignation in 2008, has said he believes the 911 inquiry stems from his receipt of 911 equipment being discarded by the county.

The 911 tower atop the Penobscot Mountain is the primary site that provides radio coverage to emergency responders, said county 911 Data/Technical Support Manager Fred Rosencrans.

“It is the heart and soul of our radio system for the county,” Rosencrans said.

Commissioners are set to vote Thursday to buy about 6 acres on the Penobscot Mountain from James and Amy Schall for $215,000. The purchase price was established as fair market value by a certified appraiser, county officials said.

The land must be subdivided to delineate the portion being purchased by the county.

The county currently pays about $500 per month plus utilities to lease another tower on Penobscot Mountain, he said. That leased tower functions well but is aging, he said.

“That’s our main tower site, so we’d rather own it rather than lease it,” Rosencrans said.

The new tower will be 160 feet. The county will pay for the land with money left over from the original bond to construct a county 911 center in Hanover Township, he said.

Jennifer Learn-Andes, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 831-7333.




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Wednesday July 14, 2010, 6:44:00 EDT


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