CAMDEN — Work began this week to further stabilize and prepare the Knox Mill smokestack for the installation of cellular telephone equipment.

Tuesday morning, a crew from Gibraltar Chimney International out of New York was in the beginning stages of affixing scaffolding to the cement smokestack's exterior. Once the repairs are made, it is hoped that the landmark smokestack will begin earning its keep, instead of just standing tall - looking worse for wear up close - and acting as an inland beacon for mariners and others.

GCI's Peter Wyman said the first step is to install chimney scaling ladders to the tower.

"Each ladder is engineered to lock on to the other, but it acts as an individual ladder so you are not stacking weight the higher you go up," said Wyman. "You are actually only standing on one ladder at a time."

Tuesday morning, Dustin Frazier was the man building the ladders up to the top, a multi-step process. First, he needed to climb to the very top of the top-most ladder, and straddle the two rungs. Then, he hoisted a lag bolt drill, which was tied to a short length of rope, up into his hands, and then over his head.

Holding the drill - with one arm - he made the holes for the bolts that would hold the bottom of the next ladder.

Down below, Ben Moorehead and Eli Miller hoisted the next piece of ladder with a rope and pulley, up to Frazer, who attached it to the top of the ladder he was standing on and to the smokestack itself. This process had continued throughout the morning, all the way up the 170-foot smokestack, which will eventually have a metal cap placed over the open top to keep water out and provide a pad for cellular antennas, among other things.

Wyman said that Frazier, Moorehead and Miller each take turns climbing up to do the height work. As for what happens next, Wyman said they will make their way up and around the chimney, taking care of all the small issues they find along the way. Because after all, with a structure as big and old as this one, many small marks on the surface can eventually add up and cause bigger headaches down the road if not dealt with.

"They are still discussing the coating that will eventually go on the tower, as it must be breathable. We'll be here about a month repairing the chimney concrete that's spalling [chipping or breaking off] and filling those spots in. You don't want water in the cracks due to the freeze and thaw expansions you get here," said Wyman.

Water on the outside of the smokestack is fine, as long as it runs off and doesn't penetrate into the concrete or through it, he said.

They will also be repairing exposed rebar, cutting it out and replacing it as needed.

The smokestack is part of the portion of the Knox Mill purchased by Camden resident and businessman Matt Orne in 2011. In June, Orne learned that an extensive inspection of the chimney by Chicago-based Bednash Company deemed it structurally sound. Orne estimated in July that he will invest approximately $150,000 to overhaul the chimney. All of this is in preparation for his entering into a contract with Northeast Wireless, a company that develops and deploys shared-access networks.

Camden's Wireless Telecommunications Facility Siting Ordinance, adopted in 2001, allows locating wireless, cellular and radio technology in existing structures, contingent on planning board approval. To date, the Brace Building in downtown Camden has wireless and cellular equipment on its roof, and the First Congregational Church has wireless equipment installed in its steeple on Elm Street.

Northeast Wireless has submitted an application to the town for the project on the chimney, and Camden Code Enforcement Officer Steve Wilson said the Planning Board has scheduled a public hearing for Thursday, Sept. 18.

Related stories:

• Camden's landmark smokestack to be restored; possible home for cellular antennas

• Knox Mill smokestack inspection under way in downtown Camden

Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards can be reached at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com or 706-6655.