WASHINGTON

An agreement between Washington County and the Wellman Cooperative Telephone Company (WCTC) could be reached this month, meaning rebuilding the tower destroyed March 31, 2023, in a tornado could start by early spring.

In its original arrangement with the Wellman Co-op, the county leased the tower site for $1 per year where it installed its emergency services equipment on the WCTC tower. Insurance will cover rebuilding the tower by the telephone company. During discussion about the replacement, the county indicated interest in purchasing the new tower and WCTC interest in setting it for a sum equal to actual out of pocket costs it incurred “in any way associated with the construction and installation” of the new tower.

An issue arose last week when the purchase agreement was on the supervisors’ meeting agenda regarding the ground lease for it with the county seeking a “right of first refusal” should WCTC decide to sell the tower site. The move would, members noted, provide some assurance for maintaining emergency communications. A motion to renew the lease was discussed but not passed, deferred to the next meeting.

In addition to replacing the destroyed tower, the company also hopes to build a second tower, something that had been considered prior to the March 2023 tornado. Currently, the estimated cost of a tower, with equipment, is approximately $500,000.