Master rigger prepares for Times Square NYE Ball drop

They're expecting a million revelers in Times Square tonight — but for the man responsible for the New Year's Eve Ball drop, it's lonely at the top.

"It is still stressful as the first time. Each year doesn't get any easier," said Tony Calvano, the master rigger who oversees the iconic ball's 11:59 p.m. descent.

"Millions of people are watching the event. We have to have it down to a system," said Calvano, whose company, Landmark Signs, specializes in Times Square displays.

"You can hear it at 11:59 when they start screaming. But we can't see the crowds," he said. "It is very low-key for us."

Robert Miller

Tony Calvano

When Mayor Bloomberg and the Rockettes press the button to launch the new year, it will really be Calvano and crew getting the ball rolling.

Since 1988, Calvano and a team of six have been 340 feet up on the roof of One Times Square for the ball drop.

Back then, the ball was lowered by hand, and the crew looked at their watches to figure out when to start moving.

Now a computer controls the winch that lowers the 12,000-pound sphere with its 2,688 Waterford Crystal triangles down the 77 feet to hit at midnight.

Their families used to be allowed to celebrate the drop with them, but post-9/11 security restrictions keep everyone but the riggers and a few firefighters and cops off the roof.

The hair dryers in their kits aren't for looking good, either — they're there to melt icicles that can form on the sphere or cables.

chuck.bennett@nypost.com

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