Tuesday, May 6
VERNON -- The Selectboard voted unanimously to approve the permit application for a telecommunications facility during its Monday night meeting.

The application for the permit, submitted by RCC Atlantic Inc. (doing business as Unicel), is in connection with a wireless telecommunications facility to be located near the existing cell tower, located at 168 Princesses Lane and owned by the Kissell family.

The company is proposing to install a wireless communications facility on the property that would address the coverage and capacity issues in the existing network, according to the application prepared by Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC.

The objective, officials said, is to improve the wireless coverage in and around Vernon and to enable the use of Enhanced 911 service so emergency responders can pinpoint the exact location within the town from which a wireless call or message is placed.

Brian Frazier, engineer with RCC Atlantic, said there are existing "gaps" in the Vernon area, causing most places to receive insufficient wireless service.

The presence of the proposed site greatly increases the cellular coverage in the town as well as the central roads and highways

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throughout the area, he said.

Currently, a 107-foot monopine tower is located on the site -- owned by Cellco Partnership, which does business as Verizon Wireless -- but the facility would also include an equipment shelter within the fenced lease area, an ice bridge connecting the shelter to the tower and underground telephone and electrical lines running from existing utilities within the aforementioned area.

Prior to the meeting with the officials representing RCC Atlantic, the board approved the finalized budget, which cut $151,882.50 from the initial proposed amount.

During an April meeting, Treasurer Sally Brassor met with the Selectboard to figure where to add roughly $678.50 back into the budget after cutting the number down by $151,561 from the original $2.17 million -- an increase of more than 10 percent -- approved by the board members in January.

Residents voted to amend the proposed operating budget by $150,000 in March.

In other business, the board looked favorably on placing a Windham Solid Waste recycle bin for books and magazines in front of the town garage.

Board Chairman Rob Miller said having the bin would be a good way for the town to continue to promote recycling programs.

Next week, Board member Michael Courtmanche said he plans to meet with officials at the Windham Solid Waste management facility to work out the finalized details about the bin.

On a lighter note, the board made a commitment to a request at a previous meeting to run a booth during the Penny Carnival on June 28.

Chris Garofolo can be reached at cgarofolo@reformer.com or 802-254-2311 ext. 275.