(Beaver Dam) The painting of the water tower in downtown Beaver Dam has been delayed until next year. Director of Utilities Rob Minnema says two cellular carriers have antennae on the tower that would have to be relocated. The carriers have indicated that new equipment that would provide faster cell phone service – a 5G network – is expected to be installed during the same time frame as the rehabilitation. However, the new 5G equipment includes larger and more numerous antennae’s that would require installation on a separate pole near the tower. Minnema says it would not be cost effective for the city or the cell companies to pay to remove the antennae, paint the tower, reattach the antennae and then remove the antennae again when new equipment is pole mounted.
The complete exterior recoat is estimated to cost between $650-and-$700-thousand, which will be borrowed and paid back through the utility with traditional fee-based revenues. The city put the project out to bid in November following the approval of a new design. The wraparound design featuring the new city logo on two sides with the tagline: “Beaver Dam, Life Here Is Good.” In between the wording are two circular shades of orange representing a sun with a kayaker in the middle holding a paddle. The entire bottom half of the tower is blue waves in three shades which will extend down the stem of the tower. The new coat is expected to last 25 years.
