South Portland High School, located in Maine, has received a proposal from AT&T to erect a new cell tower on school grounds. It would be a 95-foot tall tower to be constructed at the edge of the football field. However, it has met strong resistance within the community. The School Board is only considering it due to the revenue as an added funding source. According to a representative from AT&T, “The proposed contract would be for five years, with four additional five-year renewals. AT&T would not sublet space on its pole to any other wireless carriers, said Cooke, although the school department would be bound to the four contract renewal periods.”
If the proposal does win School Board and Planning Department approval, it is important that the property owner finds proper representation prior to signing and making any commitment with the telecom company. Vertical Consultants has worked with all types of landowners who are being paid below-market value for the use of their property. The primary reason for this is the lack of information and representation provided for these entities. Ample information and representation from a true landowner advocate are key factors these industries need in order to optimize the use of their properties.
(http://www.keepmecurrent.com/news_now/cell-phone-tower-proposed-for-sphs-campus/article_dd246b5e-41bd-11e3-ac54-0019bb2963f4.html)
