David and Goliath story coming to end

When Pete and Diane Clarey stood up in opposition to the location of a communications tower near their home, a successful outcome seemed unlikely.

They were fighting Barrett Xplore Inc, and a system which appeared to favour the developer. But in August the Clareys got the support of Cramahe Council in their efforts to have the tower location decision reviewed.

It was reviewed, and Barrett is now in the process of moving the proposed tower to a site which is much more aesthetically pleasing to everyone in the neighbourhood of 191 Neil McGregor Rd.

Barrett has not lost either. It appears that the company is closer to having a tower in Cramahe Township on the property owned by the Campbells on Old Shelter Valley Rd.

Paul Preston, a consultant working for Northumberland County, updated Cramahe Township Council at its Oct. 6 meeting.


In August, Cramahe Council refused to endorse the Barrett proposal to erect a tower at 191 Neil McGregor Rd. in the west end of the township, citing a lack of communication with neighbours who had registered concerns.

Subsequently representatives of the company, the county and the township met with the neighbours and did a site study of the alternatives on August 21. An alternate site at the nearby MacKinnon property was proposed and later pursued by Barrett.

Failure to get agreement with the MacKinnons led the company to find another site on the Campbell property. If technical requirements are met on that property, the company will proceed to sign an agreement and contact the neighbours to gain their support.

The provision of broadband internet to rural areas is part of a $30 million provincial plan. About $3 million will be spent in Northumberland. Two-thirds of that sum will be invested by Barrett.

The Cramahe tower will serve about 600 customers.