BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

CANTON -- Emergency communications in the southern portion of St. Lawrence County are limited, potentially endangering citizens but legislators are taking action to add two additional towers to the region to significantly improve communications.

The two towers in question would be in Star Lake and Cranberry Lake, both in the Adirondack Park, and would greatly benefit residents in those areas, as well as first responders, officials say.

St. Lawrence County Emergency Services Director Matt Denner told legislators that the towers have been approved by the towns of Clifton and Fine, along with Washington County, leaving St. Lawrence County as the final piece of the puzzle.

Denner said the county is in the process of an application to place the towers in the park and has been consulting with APA staff.

A meeting is expected to be held next week.

"They have a number of questions before we can proceed forward," Denner said.

Denner said he would also be going to Star Lake next week to meet with residents and officials who want to discuss the impact of the towers.

According to Denner, the minimum height required for the tower will be 113 feet, while the tower near Wanakena and Seveys Corners is 180 ft.

"The higher you go, the more it goes out. If we don't go to 180 feet, we will likely need two more in the future," Denner said.

Denner said that proposition is much harder to work with given that the cost of towers placed in Hammond and Waddington in 2020 cost over $750,000 each.

"That's just the cost of the tower. That doesn't include the equipment," Denner said.

The approval of the two proposed emergency communication towers at increased heights would eliminate the need for two additional relay towers that would likely cost taxpayers an additional $3 million total, officials say.

Denner said maps have been created to show viewing points of the towers, with the vast majority of Cranberry Lake unable to see the tower.

A handful of locations in Star Lake can see the tower, Denner said.

"It can be 100 feet or 180 feet, it won't matter. That tower will be seen from the same locations," he said.

Denner said he requested public hearings for both towers to allow residents the opportunity to raise concerns and voice their opinions as well.

Though some legislators questioned whether those hearings could be held until the summer when permanent and seasonal residents alike could attend, Denner cautioned against that.

According to Denner, the longer the process takes the higher the possibility of losing grant funding to pay for the towers.

"Grant funds are paying for them. We're going to lose state grant funds if we wait too much longer," he said.

Legislator Rick Perkins asked Denner how far inside the Adirondack Park the towers would be, a prospect that adds more complications.

Denner told legislators one tower would be behind the fire station in Cranberry Lake, while the second will be on a mountain with the water tower in Star Lake.

"The tower in Hopkinson is actually just inside the park, so we have been through this process before," Denner said.

Legislator Larry Denesha offered his thanks to Denner, saying that the towers were "a long time coming," noting that the lower portion of the county has struggled with radio communications and cell service alike.

"People who live there are more worried about access to emergency services than seeing a tower," he said.

"People who care don't even live there," he continued.

Legislator Jim Reagan also spoke regarding the public hearings, saying the towns need to ensure they "fill those rooms so they understand this is a matter of life and death."

"Bureaucrats are so concerned about someone driving at high speed through Star Lake, worried about them seeing the flash of the tower," Reagan said.