Lanark County will spend an estimated $43,800 to relocate fire communications equipment from Smiths Falls’ decommissioned water tower before the structure is removed later this year.
County staff had expected the century-old water tower to remain in place until 2027 and had planned to include the relocation in next year’s budget. They have since been advised the tower will be removed in 2026, requiring the work to be moved up.
“To ensure there’s uninterrupted emergency communications coverage, the transfer of the county’s equipment and establishment of replacement infrastructure needs to be completed this year before the current site becomes unavailable,” Deputy Clerk Megan Beson told the Corporate Services Committee Sept. 16.
The county’s fire communications network operates from eight tower sites. The new communications equipment will be located at the Air Care Drive water tower near the Smiths Falls Police Service.
The relocation will take place in two phases. The first will install antennas, cabling, a microwave link and other infrastructure at the new tower, with the $88,200 cost shared by Lanark County, Smiths Falls Fire and Smiths Falls police. The county’s share is $29,400.
The second phase, expected in November, will relocate and program the county’s existing equipment and complete the cutover to the new site at a cost of $14,400.
The county’s total estimated cost is $43,800 plus applicable taxes and can be covered through existing 2026 fire communications capital and emergency management budgets.
Beson said funding originally intended for other fire communications maintenance, repairs and upgrades this year will now be used to accommodate the Smiths Falls relocation, with that work beginning in 2027.
The committee received the report for information.
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