City officials suspect that wireless signals from antennas mounted on water towers are interfering with the operation of wells that supply the municipal water supply.

The mayor and aldermen agreed to allow a local computer provider to mount wireless antennas on the structures in return for providing wireless services to the city at no cost, according to discussion during a Wednesday meeting called to adopt an amended budget.

“We’re losing communications with our radios — tower to tower,” Batesville Water and Sewer Superintendent Mike Ross said, confusing signals that control pump operations.
Ross said that the water tower near Parker Automotive overflowed on Sunday and again Wednesday. Wireless radio signals from the water towers trigger wells that supply the water, Ross said.

“We’ve got radios on the tanks and the wells. … When the tanks get low it tells when to kick the wells on. … That’s what it’s not doing; it’s not telling it; it’s confusing it,” Ross said.

“We used to be on telephone lines with our wells,” Ross said. The signal system was changed to comply with Mississippi Department of Health regulations, he said.

“Don’t we have a contract (with the Internet provider) that says when you do a certain phase, we’re supposed to get money?” Mayor Jerry Autrey asked.

“I thought when he (the Internet provider) went to Parker we were supposed to get the Civic Center free,” City Clerk Laura Herron said, referring to wireless Internet service. “Each tower; we’re supposed to get more free,” she said.

“We need to get him before the board, then,” the mayor said, referring to the Internet provider. Aldermen also asked Herron to provide a copy of the antenna agreement for their review.

“If it’s the Internet folks, I think they ought to be able to put their own towers up, but … I’m not going to say it’s the Internet folks and it not be them,” Ross continued. “It could be the highway department radio or something but I wouldn’t think it would be out there at Parker,” he said, referring to the water tower on Highway 6 East. The Mississippi Department of Transportation transmits signals through a tower at itsdistrict offices on Highway 51.

CPA Bill Crawford presented the amended budget to city officials for approval, citing reasons for adjustments to revenue and expenses. By law, budget amendments that exceed 10 percent must be published. Aldermen approved the amended budget by unanimous vote. (Details of amended budget items will follow in a story for the May 21 edition.)