Cell Tower Q and A from 040424.pdf

Date: April 5, 2024

From: Town of Harvard (msobalvarro@harvard-ma.gov)

Re: Response of Town of Harvard, Massachusetts to questions received regarding Wireless

Facilities Tower IFB

Questions received by email as of April 4, 2024:

1. Can the Town of Harvard confirm that the Town is expecting $10,000 minimum per tenant for the first two, or $20,000 whether 1 or 2 are on the tower, and that it does not expect to receive any additional shared compensation from the first two lessees on the tower?

The Questioner seems to be interpreting correctly, except that $10,000 per tenant is not correct. The original wording of the IFB stands. There is no ambiguity in the financial requirements:

1. Base Rent: A bid amount of at least Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000) per year (in the first year, escalated per #3 below) which will cover use by the first two wireless tenants.

2. A minimum Revenue Share Rate of 15% for the third and subsequent tenants (see Definitions in Appendix B) to be paid to the Town.

3. Escalator: An annual escalator of at least two and one- half percent (2.5%).

Underlined italics added for emphasis with respect to the question.

2. Is the town expecting to be provided with no cost access to the tower for its antennas and transmission lines, and possible tower top mounted equipment?

Section II 11. Of the IFB says “The Town may request space for public safety radio antennas and equipment, on a space-available basis that does not conflict with up to four wireless tenants, at no cost to the Town.”

3. Please provide technical details for all [Town] equipment to be installed on the tower and on the ground. Where on the tower is the town expecting its equipment to be installed? For various reasons, top mounting is preferred for public safety “stick” antennas. Will the town be responsible for its own equipment shelter and shelter pad?

Section II 11. Of the IFB says “The Town may request space for public safety radio antennas and equipment, on a space-available basis that does not conflict with up to four wireless tenants, at no cost to the Town.”

Note these specifications only call for “space” and do not mandate bidder to provide any services, improvements or equipment. Bidders may show conceptually the space that could be available to the town.

Section III 12. Says, “The Town shall have the right to use the Tower and the Site to accommodate communication antennas and associated equipment for the use by the police, fire and other departments of the Town, without charge, as long as it does not interfere with the operation and maintenance of the Personal Wireless Services of any

Lessee. The Town shall be responsible for the cost of its equipment and its installation. It is anticipated that if such use is requested, it may include mounting one or more collinear

(“whip”) antennas above the top of the structure and/or at lower elevations not to be occupied by wireless Tenants. Structural design shall include this possibility.”

4. Would the Town of Harvard expect to install a backup generator at the tower site?

Commercial vendors may or may not prefer a backup generator and we recommend that a potential generator be included in the site plan just in case it is needed if acceptable to the

Town?

Subtenant requirements and local permitting will drive the question of one or more generators on site. Bidders are expected to be familiar with customary practices with respect to generators on such sites and to anticipate subtenant needs conceptually. The

Town does not have any plans regarding public safety equipment at this time.

5. Depending on the vertical space required by the town, there may not be enough vertical space available to serve four carriers. Each carrier will require its own dedicated vertical space unobstructed by immediate vegetation.

See answer to 3. above

What is the height of the trees in the immediate area?

Bidders are welcome to schedule a visit to make an assessment.

If limited to 105 feet, it may be practically impossible to provide service to four carriers.

Section II 3. anticipates this, ‘The Harvard zoning bylaw presently has a 105-foot height limit that is anticipated to require a variance, if the 135-foot height is determined to be necessary, unless the bylaws change before the initiation of permitting. Other variances or waivers might be necessary.”

Each carrier generally requires 8-10 feet of vertical space including isolation between carriers. Therefore, depending on the dedicated space required by the carrier and the height of the surrounding trees, the ability to support several providers may be impacted. In other words, if the tree line is 80 feet tall and the lowest carrier supported might be between 65 and

75 feet above ground level, that space on the tower is unlikely to be leased. Therefore, is the four-carrier requirement an absolute requirement, or would it apply only if practical?

The IFB anticipates revenue based on potential occupancy by at least four carriers.

Bidders should assume the structural design shall accommodate at least four carriers plus a modest complement of public safety equipment. After award to the successful bidder, Section II 8. says, “The Town recognizes that the proposal is subject to zoning approval.

To the extent that zoning approval requires a height that reduces the viability of the tower for four co-locators, the applicant may withdraw or renegotiate lease terms with the Town based on the reduced capacity.”

6. Does the Town of Harvard own fiber optic cabling that could be offered to the future tower customers to support their respective backhaul requirements for a fee?

The town does not have a commercial backhaul network. There is a town-owned fiber loop in the center of Town, nearest access point is on the east side of Hildreth House. Its capacity to serve commercial users is not known.

If not, what broadband fiber vendors does the Town work with and recommend for the radio tower connectivity?

This is outside the scope of the IFB. Bidders are expected to have experience with and resources for identifying telecom resources related to their tenants’ needs.

7. Are there other parties (e.g., public works, schools), who will be required to be provided with free access to the tower?

The IFB specifies “space for public safety radio antennas and equipment on a space-available basis.”

8. Is the town willing to reconsider the minimum land and tower lease term? Ten years is not a sufficient duration to hedge our investment risk, is 20 years feasible?

Section II 6. of the IFB states “The Lease shall be for an initial term of ten (10) years.

The Lease shall automatically extend for up to four (4) additional five (5) year terms, if the Lessee has not given the Town written notice to terminate at least six (6) months prior to the end of such term.”

9. What carriers have expressed an interest in co-locating on a tower at this location?

Bidders are expected to have experience developing and managing tower facilities in

Massachusetts and should rely on their relationships with the carriers to assess the level of interest in the site.