Mathews supervisors’ chair Dave Jones and board member Paul Hudgins expressed concern Tuesday night about the fact that there was no light atop the county’s new broadband tower at Station 2 in Bohannon.
Jones told Mathews Broadband Advisory Board consultant Jeff Beekhoo that the board had made it clear when approving the use of American Rescue Plan Act funding for the purchase of two broadband towers—one in Bohannon and the other at the rescue squad building at Hudgins—that both towers were to be lighted for safety purposes.
BAB chair Judy Rowe, who was not present, told board members during last month’s meeting that federal regulations did not require that the Bohannon tower have a light at the top because it was only 195 feet tall. Only towers 200 feet and taller have to be lighted, she said.
Mathews County Administrator Ramona Wilson confirmed to the board that the light was not required, but if the board wanted one anyway, it would cost $25,000, and a change order would be required...