WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
The potential addition of a new communications tower in St. Joseph County would correct a long-standing issue experienced by emergency personnel and Central Dispatch.
Stacey Bower, St. Joseph County Central Dispatch director, explained the situation to commissioners during their executive committee meeting Tuesday. She said the need is in the southeast quadrant of the county.
A new tower to field 800-megahertz radio signals would cost about $3.3 million, Bower said.
County administrator Teresa Cupp said Central Dispatch has enough of a fund balance to at least move forward with the project.
Cupp said Bower will continue researching the matter, working with Motorola and eyeing potential sites. Cupp said parks and recreation director Jaymes MacDonald is aware of the county’s interest in using land it already owns. Cade Lake County Park in Fawn River Township and Plumb Lake County Park in Burr Oak Township were mentioned as potential locations for the new structure.
Bower said Central Dispatch has two, 800-mhz. communications towers: one on Correll Road in Leonidas Township and another near Fair Road in Sherman Township.
