Briefs 7.10.13

+ Town manager investigates cell-reception successes
Town Manager Dave Bullock told the Longboat Key Town Commission at its July 1 regular meeting he is “quietly and methodically having discussions with a variety of communities” that have had both cellular reception successes and failures.

“We are analyzing and preparing to bring back concepts to you to show you what others are doing,” Bullock said. “I’m reluctant to say anything until I have enough information to present it to you in a fair and balanced way.”

Bullock made the announcement after Commissioner Jack Duncan said he was “excited” to find a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) system that’s worked well for two years in Aquinnah, Mass. The town of 300 residents had poor cellular reception until a company brought in the system that now has two major carriers.

“It’s exciting because I’ve finally heard of a DAS system that’s up and functioning in a town like ours,” Duncan said.

Duncan passed along his findings to Bullock, who confirmed the DAS system will be a part of a report that will be ready for commissioners in a few months.

+ Old Avenue of the Flowers building coming down
Town Manager Dave Bullock is trying to find out when the old Avenue of the Flowers center is going to be torn down.

What’s left of the old plaza was originally supposed to be torn down after Easter, but Bullock said Publix officials told him the demolition “ran into some internal rescheduling.”

“I’m assured the demolition is getting closer,” Bullock said.

Once the plaza is torn down, Publix has plans to put more parking spaces in its place.

+ Water meter replacement program to begin next month
The town will replace potable water-service meters at no cost to customers beginning in August and continuing through September.

Minimal service interruptions will occur when meters are changed. A town-hired contractor will install the meters and will have a letter from the town with workers at all times explaining the work that is under way.

Meetings & agendas
• Firefighters’ Retirement System Special Board Meeting — 10 am. Friday, July 12
• General Employees’ Retirement System Special Board Meeting — 1:30 p.m. Friday, July 12
• Planning and Zoning Board Boat and Trailer Subcommittee — 1 p.m. Monday, July 15
• Planning and Zoning Board Regular Meeting — 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 16
All meetings take place at Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road, unless otherwise noted.