Wood County and Marshfield Officials Considering a Cell Tower at UW-Wood County Campus
Thursday, December 21st, 2017 -- 9:06 AM
(WDLB) -Marshfield and Wood County officials are exploring the possibility of allowing the construction of a cell tower on the U-W Marshfield/Wood County campus.The Wood County Board and the Marshfield Common Council had a proposed lease agreement on their Tuesday agendas, but neither body took action. Marshfield Administrator Steve Bard told the city council Tuesday night the two bodies still have several issues to work out regarding a lease agreement with Verizon, which has already reached agreement with the Commission that governs the campus over building the tower on the north end of the parking lot along West Fifth Street. Barg said staff and students on the campus, along with nearby residents, have reported the need for improved cell phone service in that area. City Planner Josh Miller told the Council the tower's location would have to meet F-A-A regulations, because of its proximity to the approach from the north for the Marshfield Municipal Airport. The tower would be roughly 115 feet high.
The proposal calls for a 30-year lease agreement with Verizon, which would make annual payments of just over 14-thousand dollars initially to the U-W Commission. That money would be used for campus improvements--and it would reduce the amount the campus would be asking for from both Marshfield and Wood County budgets each year. Both the city council and Wood County Board will consider a final version of the lease agreement at meetings in January.
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