Lease deal mulled
CRANBERRY TWP — Visitors in North Boundary Park probably won’t notice a new cone-shaped device on top of a parking light, but they might notice the increase in wireless Internet connectivity in the park.
The township supervisors on Thursday will consider accepting a lease from Crown Castle, a company that wants to install a new cellular distribution antenna in the park.
Under the agreement, the company would pay Cranberry an initial $15,000 to use township property for the antenna, which would resemble a small cone perched on top of a light post.
The company would then pay $975 annually to the township to keep operating the antenna. In return, residents will get better wireless Internet connectivity in the park area.
Jason Kratsas, director of engineering for the township, said most of the new work will happen underground, where the company will install fiber optic lines that will connect with existing lines on North Boundary Road.
Kratsas said it is a win-win situation for the township because residents will get better cellular service while the township will get paid by the company.
“And it’s not like we’re out requesting that they put additional cell service in the park,” he added. “They came to us.”
