PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Hellsgate Fire Updates
March 17, 2022
FS22- the lease agreement with a cell tower builder has been completed. The builder is now getting a building permit from Gila County and should start moving ground very shortly. To keep everyone up-to-date on the progress, we have created a Goal Thermometer that shows the progress that is being made to the site. This will be updated on a regular basis. This Thermometer is located on the south side of Fire Station 22.
Fire Board- the Hellsgate Fire District is currently looking for qualified personnel to apply for the vacant Board of Directors position. If anyone is interested in applying for the position, please contact the Fire District personnel for more information and how to apply. The main qualification for the position is that the candidate must reside in the Fire District at the time of the appointment or election.
FS21- In December, 2021, Hellsgate Fire took delivery of a 2022 Water Tender. This truck replaces 2 older and outdated vehicles. This truck is now providing services to the community.
August 23, 2022
Hellsgate Fire Department Updates on Cell Tower-5% Completion Status
As of Monday, August 22, 2022, the Cellular Phone tower started its construction phase at Fire Station 22 in Tonto Village. The site is being prepared for heavy work to be completed. Earlier last month, Gila County Planning and Zoning issued a permit to the Hellsgate Fire Department and to the construction company that will be doing the erection of the tower and all groundwork.
On Monday, August 29, 2022, drilling and boring of the pillars to hold up the framework of the cell tower will begin. Once this occurs, the several small buildings and other framework will begin.
We will give bi-weekly updates on the status of the tower and percent completion. The next update will occur on September 6, 2022.
Thanks for your patience in this endeavor.
September 23, 2022
Hellsgate Fire Department Updates on Cell Tower-15% Complete
The past several weeks have found the workers completing the 4 bore holes and have placed casings and rebar in the holes. Concrete has been poured and completed the stabilization and base for the tower. In the past two weeks, the construction firm has dug footings and laid rebar into the base foundation for the cell companies’ storage facilities. This past week, concrete was poured into the footings and the slab. The concrete block has been delivered to the site along with mortar for the construction of the buildings. The steel members that create the tower are to be delivered to the site soon. Thanks for your concern and hope to see structures go vertical very soon!
October 11, 2022
At this juncture in time, the tower is now at 45% completion! Many things have occurred since the last reporting. Since the concrete for the buildings have been poured, the block masonry structure has been completed as of today. Footings have been dug for the expansive grounding network, and the electrical boxes and wires have been placed on the structures. Later this week, the block cells will be filled with concrete and next week the roof structures will be placed. Over 30 tons of fill dirt have been tamped on the north side of the construction site next to the wash. After the buildings are completed, the crane will be placed on-site for the erection of the superstructure. Hope to have an update on Oct. 25, 2022.
December 6, 2022
The current completion for the cell tower project is at about 70%. The ground buildings are completed with roofs, doors and some electrical. The tower has started going up with the first section completed on Dec. 5, 2022. Several more sections are planned to be installed this week with potential completion of the framework on Dec. 20, 2022. Verizon will then come in and install the cell components shortly thereafter with communications wiring to occur at the same time. Next update should be right after the first of then new year. Merry Christmas and have a great and better new year!
January 18, 2023
The current completion for the cell tower project is at about 80%. The tower has been completed. The tower now sits at 199 feet in the air and is visible above the horizon. Workers have completed the microwave components which will allow for communications between other towers and the tower at Tonto Village. Verizon will be coming in very soon to install the cell antennas and getting the communications up and working. Verizon has indicated that both 4G LTE and 5G will be on the tower for consumer use.
Chief's Corner
