private property easements

AT&T cell tower easement question from reader "Goofy" residing in parts unknown.

At&T is putting big cell tower on top of hill on timber company property. The power company and engineers have determined that our property is the closest point to gain power for the tower.

It would mean that we would have to give easements to three, possibly four different entities. Our transformer at the top of the driveway by the coolers would need to be replaced, and crews here to put in underground power lines from transformer across our property.

Stan talked briefly to the engineer and said he wanted compensation for allowing easement and power lines buried all the way across property. The power guy said they usually don’t pay for access. I am hearing conflicting info.

Power people were here yesterday and I was able to talk briefly with the guy. He did suggest that as part of “negotiations”, we should require them to fix driveway as they will have to upgrade lines up the hill to new transformer. That makes me think that maybe the entities are not going to be forthcoming and will try to gain access from us by convincing us that we would be good chaps to allow them free access.

I am such a goofy idiot. I trust people to do the right thing. But my warning signals are going off. I want to be fair, not screwed.

Have been looking on web for info, but must not be putting in correct search wording.

Any suggestions?

Thanks