Hang on Monroe Countians, vastly expanded cell service and reliable internet is finally on the horizon when “We will hopefully get Monroe County a little closer to the twenty-first century,” said Richard Miller, senior 911/OEM director. “The citizens have wanted this for a long time. They have waited long enough.”
For starters, Verizon is currently installing equipment in the Rock Camp area for use in emergency services. Installing a taller tower for the 911 Center in Union and upgrades to others will happen soon.
An expedited project is expected to bring Verizon services along U.S Route 219 for the very first time by mid-November, according to Miller.
Verizon plans to place equipment on towers on the Porter Robertson property near Peterstown, one near Lindside Volunteer Fire Department, Harvey Flint’s property near Ballard and 911 equipment at Rock Camp near Riffe’s store and on Bickett’s Knob in Union.
Hardware is currently being installed at Joey Hazelwood’s property near James Monroe High School that will serve Lindside, Red Sulphur and Greenville.
Plans are to have coverage addressed along another neglected thoroughfare, Route 3, from Sweet Springs to the Wayside/Creamery area, by the 1st quarter of 2022. A grant awarded to Verizon is expected to bring services to a signal-deprived Moncove Lake area.
Since his installment as 911 director in May of 2019, Miller said he has made cell phone and internet coverage a priority. He told The West Virginia Daily News that he has received calls for years from senior citizens asking when service would be available. With all of his accomplishments, he noted, “My last problem child is [providing service] to Waiteville” but he’s working toward a potential solution for this area as well.
Miller joined the West Virginia elected officials, community members, businesses owners, school officials and other stakeholders who were already focused on the lack of reliable internet post-pandemic, but COVID-19 brought home the fact that the Mountain State is nowhere near the level needed to teach school children or to operate a business even in the best of times.
Many Monroe County residents had “learned how to operate with slow internet service, buffering all the time,” said Miller, but the past year showed “how vital the internet” is. He explained that a dispatcher’s three children had to take turns doing school work because their service was so slow it would only allow for one computer to be connected at a time.
During its regular meeting on Sept. 1, Commission President Kevin Galford, Commissioner Kevin Mann and Commissioner Melvin Young unanimously approved an upgrade to Verizon towers, one of which will be placed beside the 911 center consisting of a 125-foot monopole replacing an existing 78-foot tower, explained Miller during a July 7 public hearing.
“Monopole towers are used for a variety of communication applications and are ideal for use when zoning is difficult,” according to Tower Direct. “They are the least intrusive and easiest communication towers to erect making them one of the most popular tower types in the wireless communication industry. Monopoles can also be designed as concealment poles: pine poles, flag poles, palm poles and other stealth towers.”
Miller told WVDN that the partnership with Verizon is a win-win situation providing for full use of towers for 911 service, an increased 5G network and internet, all to the benefit of taxpayers throughout the entire county.
He explained the taller towers will eliminate the current problem of high vegetation growth that block sight of the repeaters, the height provides for clearer reception and brings coverage to six additional miles.
Until the 125-foot permanent tower is installed near the 911 Center, Union Mayor Caroline Sparks has granted permission to place a temporary one close to the town’s swimming pool during the first or second week of October. This temporary tower will also provide Union with 5G Verizon cell service and internet.
Verizon will construct the permanent tower near the 911 Center and has agreed to move the county’s emergency communications system from one tower to the other and disassemble the old structure.
Commissioners also approved the contract allowing the county to place emergency communication equipment on Verizon’s towers.
Lewis Buckland, Monroe County Planning Commission president, “reviewed the upgrade plans and affirmed they met the specifications set forth in the county’s Wireless Facilities Ordinance,” according to minutes of the Sept. 1 regular meeting.
The county’s Wireless Telecommunications Facilities Ordinance sets the height restrictions as “A wireless support structure shall not exceed one hundred ninety-nine (199) feet in height, unless the Planning Commission is satisfied that a permit for a tower of greater height is reasonable. In support of an application for such a permit, the applicant shall submit technical information showing that a tower height in excess of 199 feet is necessary.”
That ordinance states that “The provisions of this ordinance have been prepared with the intention of meeting the requirements [of] West Virginia Code 7-1-3kk; West Virginia Code Chapter 11-3-3A; West Virginia Code 8A; and the Monroe County West Virginia Comprehensive Plan dated July 27, 2009.”
Meanwhile, the county is seeking speed tests to determine where reliable service is lacking.
Monroe County “officials are continually trying to get broadband expanded here in the county,” according to a press release encouraging residents to take an internet questionnaire. “We hope you choose to participate in this short survey. This survey will be a tremendous help in identifying areas of the county that do not have broadband or has limited broadband. It is imperative that we have as many surveys filled out as we can. Thank you in advance.”
To participate in the survey, go to: www.monroecountywv.gov and scroll down to Latest News for the “Appalachian Power Internet Survey” then click on the brown box to “Take the Survey.”
The site monroecounty.gov also provides a way to sign up to receive texts of real-time alerts, up-to-date news, upcoming events and to track important dates. Or register for the handy app to provide just about everything a county resident needs to stay informed.
