Successful Raising of Oak Bluffs Radio Communication Tower
Dukes County Sheriff Robert W. Ogden is pleased to announce the successful raising of the new 140’ Oak Bluffs Radio Communication Tower on Monday, January 13, 2020. Assembly of this tower punctuates the completion of a three year process of dedicated planning, evaluations, studies, and debate crucial to the development of the new E911 Regional Communication System project. Funded by a Development Grant from the State 911 Department for regional public safety radio system upgrades, the Oak Bluffs Radio Communication Tower is one of five tower sites improved, rehabilitated, or built throughout the Island in order to provide a reliable and resilient service to first responders and to the broader Martha’s Vineyard community.
“This is a significant leap forward in the upgrade project,” says Deputy Tony Gould, Tele-communicator and internal project manager. “We have a long way to go before the Oak Bluffs site is ready to actively be used by first responders, but the raising of the tower is a monumental step toward that end.” Early spring will see the installation and connection of antennas. “After that, our third and final phase of funding will allow for the purchase and installation of radio equipment and distribution of user units to fire, police, and EMS,'' says Deputy Gould.
“The Oak Bluffs tower represents the first ‘bricks and mortar’ leg of our critical regional public safety system upgrade to be completed,” says Sheriff Ogden. With the Island’s current 911 system relying on outdated equipment, installation of new towers and modern public safety rated equipment is vital to the wellbeing of the general public and first responders alike. “The project has overcome many hurdles over the past three years. Witnessing this tower’s completion is significant and gratifying. Our next step forward will be the conclusion of negotiations with our commercial partner, Verizon Wireless, regarding public safety access to their Pennywise Path tower location in Edgartown. I am confident we will come to an amicable agreement, allowing this vital and necessary project to move forward island-wide.”
The Dukes County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend our gratitude to the Town of Oak Bluffs, Oak Bluffs Zoning Board, the MV Commission, as well as, Fire, Police, and EMS contributors and supporters.
Special Thanks to Diane Damino; Motorola Project Manager, Rob McCabe; Civil Project Manager, and the Motorola team for their tireless efforts and commitment to preserving Public Safety through reliable communication.