Swampscott seeks bidder for light, cell tower project

SWAMPSCOTT – The town is preparing to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for cellular telephone towers for Blocksidge Field.Town Administrator Andrew Maylor said the RFP is different from those issued for cell towers elsewhere in town because it is not a simple lease payment to the town.”The RFP will require the successful bidder to erect lighting in Blocksidge Field,” Maylor said. “The cell phone antennae will be inside the light poles.”Maylor said the specifications that would be included in the RFP would require four to six steel poles, each measuring 70-80 feet tall, with 15 to 21 fixtures on each pole.”The lighting system would be Musco Light Structure Green or approved equal,” he said. “The field illumination would be 50 to 75 foot candles at midfield.”Maylor said if the town purchased a lighting system that meets the specifications that would be set forth in the RFP, it would cost approximately $275,000.Blocksidge is the home of the Swampscott Big Blue football team. The school also runs its outdoor track meets on the field.Swampscott is one of the few remaining football fields in the area with no lights. Swampscott, Beverly and Saugus are the only ones in the Northeastern Conference without lights.