by David Flint
It’s been over a month since an antenna sprouted atop the new cell tower on Losty Hill in Stephentown but cell phone service here is still almost nonexistent. That may change soon. According to Verizon spokesman John O’Malley, his company’s antenna is indeed “up and ready to go.” All that is needed is for the local phone company, Fairpoint, to establish the land line connection. O’Malley is hoping that will happen very soon and that service from the cell tower will start before the end of this month.
Chris Ciolfi of Evolution Site Services said that a couple of other cell service providers have expressed interest in locating their antennae on the Stephentown tower and that as soon as the land line connection is accomplished they may quickly come on board. Ciolfi’s company also constructed the new cell tower on nearby Jiminy Peak erected at the end of July. Verizon will also be the first tenant on that tower and they are currently in the process of completing the installation of their equipment. Another tower is planned for Route 22 in the vicinity of Berkshire Farm in Canaan. Ciolfi expects to get approval from the Planning Board there this month. With these three towers in operation, Ciolfi sees a great improvement in communications for area residents.