Lease of Land to Install and Operate Wireless Service Tower and Communication Facilities Grove Street Site

The Town of Norwell is soliciting proposals for the lease of land at the Grove Street Well Field to construct and operate a telecommunications tower and associated infrastructure for wireless services. The solicitation, identified as 26-06, requires sealed proposals to be submitted by June 2, 2026, with the lease term spanning twenty years beginning on the Rent Commencement Date, triggered by either permit issuance or twelve to eighteen months after lease execution, depending on permitting delays. The proposal must include comprehensive technical and financial submissions detailing tower design, equipment specifications, construction schedule, and proof of experience with similar municipal infrastructure projects, with all plans certified by a Massachusetts Registered Professional Engineer. Financial obligations include a minimum base rent of $36,000 in Year 1, escalating annually by at least 3%, and additional revenue sharing of at least 25% of annual gross sublease income from third-party carriers, with sublessee rents set at a minimum of $30,000 per carrier annually, increasing by 2% per year. The tenant must also install, power, and maintain municipal public safety equipment including antennae, dishes, and cables at no cost to the Town, providing dedicated ground space and mounting the equipment at the tower’s summit. Technical proposals are evaluated based on financial return, technical expertise, prior experience with municipal telecom projects, and aesthetic compliance with local zoning bylaws, with emphasis on minimizing visual and environmental impact through non-illuminated, low-glare designs, screening landscaping, and fencing. Proposals must include certifications of non-collusion, tax compliance, corporate authority, and a Dun & Bradstreet rating, and are disqualified if any required document is omitted. The tenant is required to secure a $100,000 removal bond, $1 million general liability insurance, and a $3 million umbrella policy, with the Town named as an additional insured. The agreement grants the Town the right to terminate for non-performance or failure to obtain permits within the designated window, and imposes a 12-month rent termination fee if the tenant cancels for other reasons. The Town retains full control over its equipment, maintenance rights, and perpetual use rights, and holds an option to purchase the tower and all permanent improvements for $1.00 at lease end. All submissions must be physical hard copies delivered in sealed packages with original signatures, and no electronic submissions are accepted.