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County moving ahead on Henning radio tower [UPDATED]
Published 10:46am Wednesday, January 9, 2013 Updated 10:51am Wednesday, January 9, 2013The Otter Tail County Board on Tuesday approved a Sheriff’s Deparment request necessary to connect Henning into ARMER, the county’s emergency communications system.
According to Lieutenant Matt McGuire it is necessary to amend an existing use agreement with Minnesota Department of Transporation for paging equipment to add microwave connectivity to the Henning site for emergency communications.
McGuire says the project is progressing forward, but there are few hurdles yet to go.
A radio tower will be installed at the Henning water tower to
tie into the 800 MHz emergency communications system used by the rest of the County. However, there also needs to be a facility on the ground with power and environmental controls to house equipment in a secure location. A room at the tower can be used temporarily, but a permanent building or shed will need to be constructed to meet state standards.
“There is a state standard on safety and security, and we don’t want moisture or heat or cold to affect the equipment too much,” said
McGuire. “There would be a cost if a separate structure is built, and
we would talk further to the city of Henning about that.”
McGuire added that he attending the City Council meeting in Henning Thursday and the Council is in agreement to move the project forward.
Small changes won’t hold up courthouse remodel
Physical plant manager Terry Hoff obtain approval from the Otter Tail
County board Tuesday for a change order in the courthouse remodel
project.
The cost of the change order was just over $4,000, and it includes a
little change to a landscaping wall, adjustments to security cameras
and some concrete work.
Hoff said the project is going well, and at this time there are no
major obstacles to the anticipated completion date in March of 2013
for phase one.
Phase one consists of construction on the old jail, sheriff’s residence and the engineering portion of the courthouse.
New officers for OTC Board of Commissioners
The Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners elected a new chairman and vice chairman Tuesday.
The new chairman is Douglas A. Huebsch, from district one.
The vice chairman is Wayne Johnson, from district two.
The next meeting is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on January 15.
