Edgartown selectmen sign Katama Farm silo wireless-antenna lease

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AT&T Mobility plans to install a cellular antenna concealed inside one of the unused blue silos at Katama Farm. — File photo by Ralph Stewart

Edgartown selectmen Monday unanimously approved and signed a lease that will allow AT&T Mobility to place a wireless phone antenna inside a vacant silo at the town-owned Katama Farm. The new antenna is designed to improve mobile phone coverage coverage in the Katama area.

The company and the town had wrangled for several months over legal language, and selectmen had expressed frustration at the slow pace of negotiation. Selectman Michael Donaroma was quick to second a motion by selectman Margaret Serpa to approve the lease.

“I second, before it changes again,” Mr. Donaroma said. “So by spring, without fail, they’ll be up and running?” he asked following the vote.

“Well, we can hope,” town administrator Pam Dolby said. “There are no more roadblocks. It will be interesting to see how much it helps [mobile phone service] on Chappaquiddick.”

The contract signed Monday calls for AT&T Mobility to pay the town $28,000 the first year. Rent payments will increase 3 percent each year. Revenue to Edgartown will total $321,000 over the life of the 10-year contract.

In other business Monday, selectmen heard an update on the annual Martha’s Vineyard Food and Wine Festival, scheduled for Oct. 16 to 19. Christina Cook, who is helping organize the event for the Edgartown Board of Trade, said planning is on schedule for the four-day series of gastronomic events. She said the festival will feature more events under the tent erected on Mayhew Lane than last year, to help attract people to the downtown area.

“We’ve sold out four events so far, and we’re on track to sell it all out,” Ms. Cook told selectmen. Selectmen unanimously approved four one-day alcohol licenses for the festival.

In other action, the board accepted a bid from Bailey Boyd Associates to administer federal Community Development Block Grant funds, which provide Island residents with energy-efficient home improvements and childcare subsidies. The bid, totalling $82,030, was the only bid submitted.