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The commissioners approved a contract with Mid Atlantic Tower, LLC, an Emporia, Va.-based company, to rent antenna and equipment space for a new simulcast radio system.
The system itself was approved earlier this year by the board.
The 400-foot tower in Gaston is located on the border at the intersection of Cherry Tree Road and Oak Grove Church Road on the west end of the county. It will allow Northampton County's police, fire, EMS and the Sheriff's Office to have a new and better improved communications system - meaning there will be fewer faded calls.
The simulcast system will allow clearer calls in areas as far away as Lake Gaston, according to county officials. It should be operational by October.
The contract between Mid Atlantic and Northampton will cost $1,275 a month for five years and renewal rental for the next five years will be $1,326 - a rental increase of 4 percent.
The second rental renewal (should the county decide to do so after 10 years) will be $1,379.04.
Rental fees will be paid from the Wired Fund balance and the county can terminate the contract at anytime with a 60 days written notice.
“We want to expand our radio coverage,” said Ronnie P. Storey, Communications Director.
“Right now we only have one tower which is in Jackson,” he said, adding Northampton County has many dips and valleys which makes it difficult for radio frequencies to travel.
Storey said that he hopes to equip a watertower with antennas in Woodland by October.
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