JACKSON — The construction of a new tower by the state will give a boost to the Northampton County radio system.

On Monday, the Northampton County Board of Commissioners approved two leases that will allow the construction of a Viper Communications Tower and for Northampton County to place radio equipment on the tower and in the equipment building.

According to information provided by Communications Director Ronnie Storey, a 15-year ground lease with the state would allow for the construction of a 480-foot tower and an equipment building with power service and automatic generator back up. The payment to the county for the lease is $1.

The tower would be located on Buck Boone Road near the Milwaukee community.

In turn, the approved 15-year sublease contract would give the county the option to place radio antennas and/or equipment on the tower or in the building. The payment to the state would be for $1 and the county would not be charged for space rent or power fees.

“We currently have repeater equipment on a 100-foot water tank between Woodland and Murfreesboro that does not have generator back up and it would better serve our radio system if relocated to this site on a tower of this height,” Storey said in his decision paper.

The state would be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the tower and building, including electric service. The project will be of no cost to the county.