A citizen complained about cell coverage at a Board of Selectmen meeting in July 2023. 32 months later, American Tower Company signed a 30-year ground lease. The entire chain is documented in public meeting minutes on amherstnh.gov. Every link below goes to the source document.
32months, first signal to award
17signals detected
15public meetings
23months of competitive window
What you're about to read
Every entry is a real document from the Town of Amherst, New Hampshire. Population: 12,000. The links go to amherstnh.gov. No FCC or FAA registration exists for this tower. The only record is in meeting minutes. If you weren't reading Amherst's Board of Selectmen minutes, you would not have known this deal existed until construction started.
July 24, 2023
Board of Selectmen
Citizen George Coddington raises cell phone service in the Village as a safety concern. Cannot text or call. Chairman Lyon acknowledges the town "does not have the ability to install a tower or to get carriers to place service on a tower." Board agrees to investigate.
August 14, 2023
Board of Selectmen
Town Administrator contacts T-Mobile district representative, who agrees to review the town's cell towers.
August 28, 2023
Board of Selectmen
T-Mobile reports four towers in town, none with direct line of sight to the Village. Selectman D'Angelo suggests reaching out to third-party companies that build towers and lease space to carriers.
October 23, 2023
Board of Selectmen
Town considering "collaborating with a cell company to improve cell service and get a new communications center antennae mast." Town Administrator will find an independent agent.
The competitive window opens
February 12, 2024
Board of Selectmen
Chairman Lyon reports discussions with "a company that erects towers while leasing space to cell carriers." Company interested in building at the emergency services complex at no cost to the town. Long-term lease on top 10 feet. Company representative has reviewed three potential spots on the site.
April 15, 2024
Board of Selectmen
Selectman Stoughton has reviewed a draft cell tower agreement. Board to circulate for comments.
August 12, 2024
Board of Selectmen
Cell tower project still in progress. Cost for town to build independently: approximately $1M.
September 16, 2024
Board of Selectmen
Cell providers still being sought. Building the tower "less expensive than" initially expected.
October 28, 2024
Board of Selectmen
Chief Ciampoli: funding needed for construction drawings and architectural layout. Asks Board if ready to move forward.
November 18, 2024
Board of Selectmen
Two separate vendors/consultants seeking to attract cell providers. Tower to be on Police property, also hosting Police/Fire communications.
January 13, 2025
Board of Selectmen
Design pivot: combining cellular tower with communications tower confirmed "not viable." Standalone communications tower proposed. Two-Way Communications awarded the communications component.
October 6, 2025
Board of Selectmen
Monopole option selected. Existing tower in structural failure since 2001, overloaded 200-300%. Board deciding between town-owned vs. third-party built.
October 15, 2025
Planning Board
Full discussion of new monopole at rear of Police Department property. Third party installs at no cost. Cell lease revenue opportunity. 175-foot tower. Planning Board and Historic District Commission approval needed.
December 22, 2025
Board of Selectmen
Town working with third-party tower company for monopole on Fire and Police property. Town communications plus carrier co-location. No cost to town plus potential revenue.
January 12, 2026
Board of Selectmen
American Tower Company named for the first time. Warrant article read. Town negotiating no-cost access for its equipment plus revenue sharing.
January 20, 2026
Board of Selectmen
Article 41: American Tower Company Ground Lease. 30-year lease including renewals. Monopole up to 180 feet. Tax Map 6, Lot 94. No town funds. Vote: 5-0-0.
The competitive window closes
March 23, 2026
Board of Selectmen
Article 41 passed at town vote. Board continuing discussions with American Tower on lease agreement and construction timeline.
The competitive window
23 months. From the first vendor engagement (February 2024) to American Tower being named (January 2026). During that window, any infrastructure company reading Amherst's meeting minutes would have known a tower deal was forming. The town was actively seeking a partner. The RFP never existed as a formal document. The opportunity was only visible in meeting minutes.
No FCC Antenna Structure Registration. No FAA obstruction filing. No permit in any federal database. The only record of this deal is in the minutes of a town of 12,000.
This is one town. We read 2,300+ every day.
The same signal chain exists in planning boards, town councils, and boards of selectmen across the country. Different projects, same pattern: the document trail starts months or years before the deal closes. Tell me what you're watching and I'll show you what the record says.
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