MINUTES OF PLANNING BOARD
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING FOR
NEXTEL
HELD
July 11, 2007
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Patricia Halpin, John Baker, Karen Paré, Lawrence Salate, and Vincent Vignaly
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: Kyle MacCallum, Stanley T. Johnson, Ricardo Sousa, Eric Dahl, Phil Leite and Mark Brodeur.
Ms. Halpin opened the Public Hearing at 7:30 p.m. The notice of the public hearing printed in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette on June 27, 2007 and July 4, 2007 (??) was read into the record. Attorney Ricardo Sousa represented the applicant at the hearing. He introduced Eric Dahl who is the acquisition agent, Phil Leite, a radio frequency engineer hired to identify the gaps in Nextel’s coverage, and Kyle MacCallum from Crown Castle, the owner of the tower. Mr. Sousa described the proposed project located on the West Boylston Water District property at 100 Lawrence Street, to install, operate and maintain a PCS wireless communication facility on the existing wireless communication tower.
Mr. Sousa described the process of identifying areas of poor coverage for Nextel customers and presented a map that displayed the gaps in coverage along Routes 12 and 190 in West Boylston. An additional map showed how placing antennae on this tower would fill in several of those existing maps. Mr. Sousa reported that the installation is straightforward. They are proposing to install 12 panel antennae whose centerline is at 72 feet on the tower. A diagram of the existing tower was presented, which showed that the new antennae are located below the existing carrier installations on the tower. There are no plans to increase the tower height of 100 feet. Mr. Sousa indicated Nextel felt that this is a good solution to their problem, which, by locating on an existing tower rather than building a new one, agrees
with the zoning bylaws preference for co-location.
In addition to the new antennae, Nextel is proposing a new 11.5 by 20 foot shelter to house their equipment. This structure is a standard modular unit that will be located inside the existing fenced compound.
Ms. Halpin noted the review from the board’s consulting engineer, VHB. Mr. MacCallum reported that he met with the Water District regarding the repair of the road. Mr. MacCallum expressed that the Water District is taking the lead as the landlord and is committed to fixing the road. Crown Castle will help this happen. Crown Castle will pay for the road re-construction in return for future rent abatement and issue a performance bond to ensure that the construction is to the town’s standards.
Mr. Baker noted that the plan shows a 24-inch deep trench to a utility pole and questioned if the pole was on the Water District property on out on Lawrence Street. The plan presented is too small to determine clearly. Also, Mr. Baker noted a proposed location for a future generator. Is this new? Mr. Sousa reported that Nextel prefers that the site have a generator. There is battery backup on the property to continue operations in the event of a power failure, but that a generator, as backup, is desired. However, Nextel is willing to give it up if the town requires it or make it subject to approval by the Building Inspector. He noted that the generator is only used in an emergency. Mr. Baker pointed out that a generator must be run once a week or so to keep it in good order. The board
requested that the generator pad be removed.
Ms. Halpin noted that the structural calculations must be sent to VHB. Mr. MacCallum stated that the structural calculations include all the existing antennae along with three new proposed carriers, FiberTower, Nextel and T-Mobile.
Mr. Johnson of Lawrence Street addressed the board with some of his questions. He questioned whether this proposal involved the existing tower and if the tower height would be the same. He was assured that they are using the existing tower, whose height will not be changed. Mr. Johnson then expressed his concerns and those of his neighbors regarding the state of the road. He questioned whether the erosion on the road would be fixed and noted that water sheds down the road and runs onto his and his neighbors’ properties and into their basements. He wants the water to be diverted into the storm drains. Mr. MacCallum quoted from the letter from the Water District, which committed to fix the road. Mr. Vignaly gave Mr. Johnson his copy of the letter and encouraged him to work with the Water District
to get his concerns addressed. Ms. Halpin suggested that he walk the site with the Water District’s engineer to be sure that they understand the nature of the problem. Mr. Johnson indicated that the existence of the tower is okay, but that water runoff is a big concern.
Upon the motion of Mr. Baker and second by Ms. Paré, it was unanimously voted to continue this hearing until July 25, 2007 at 7:30 p.m.
Date Accepted: ______________________ By:__________________________
Karen F. Paré, Clerk
Submitted By: ______________________
Karen F Paré
| 
