The New Fairfield Board of Selectmen has signed off on a lease with DISH Network for space on a cell tower. Town Counsel Dan Rosemark spoke of the addition of DISH Network to the cell tower at Ball Pond. He noted that there are currently four carriers on this tower. He spoke of the proposed leased and noted that the current revenue for this network would be $3,925 per month that will increase by 3.5% annually. The lease is for an initial five-year term, with four additional five-year renewals. Rent starts upon signing. The lease is consistent with the market, and the other companies on the tower. If the contract is terminated by DISH early, the town would recoup some money. DISH would locate on an existing pad vacated by Cingular Wireless, which merged with AT&T. DISH still has to go through Connecticut Siting Council approvals process. Others on the tower are Verizon, AT&T, TMobile, and town systems. It will still have capacity to take on other uses, but that's all of the wireless carriers nationwide at this point.
