CHENANGO COUNTY - The Chenango County Board of Supervisors recently announced that an emergency services tower that was previously only shared with AT&T will be expanded to include Verizon Wireless as well, which they hope will increase cell reception for the residents and earn approximately $14,400 a year for Chenango County.

According to Chenango County Board of Supervisors Clerk RC Woodford, the initial Verizon agreement will last for an initial five year term, with options to renew for up to 30 years total. Woodford said at this point a specific date hasn’t been set for the antenna installation, but representatives at the Chenango County Public Safety Building are working directly with Verizon to see when would be best.

Chenango County Emergency Operations Center Coordinator A. Wesley Jones said the project is expected to be complete towards the end of this year.

He said AT&T service went live on the Coventry tower about two months ago.

During the meeting where county officials discussed the proposed deal, Chenango County Attorney Allen Gordon said typically both the county and Verizon would need to agree in order for a contract renewal to be approved in the future.