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Town of Willington
BOARD OF SELECTMEN ° 40 OLD FARMS ROAD ° WILLINGTON, CONNECTICUT 06279 ° (860) 487-3100 ° FAX (860) 487-3103
PUBLIC MEETING JUNE 11, 2002
TOWN HALL 6:00 P.M.
First Selectman Patton called the meeting to order at 6:10 P.M. with the following in attendance: Selectman Lewis, townspeople and representatives from Cingular Wireless and Cordless Data Transfer, Inc.
First Selectman Patton commented that the public meeting was being held for 2 proposed cell towers, one at 479 Tolland Turnpike and one on Turnpike Road. This is the first time the Town has held one of these. The Connecticut Siting Council has jurisdiction over the towers. We are having this so the townspeople can have some input; the constructors want to be good neighbors so they are here to discuss it. Attorney Julie Donaldson, representing Cingular, with a proposal to build a tower at 479 Tolland Turnpike, commented that they must get approval from the CT Siting Council, they have filed a detail report with the Town. Cingular needs to build a tower because of a substantial gap, they looked for co-locations on existing structures but there were none that would provide the coverage.
They will be an addition to the Cordless Data tower also. There are 2 locations proposed at 479 Tolland Turnpike, (A) is at the back and (B) is the front on the right side. The tower would 194’ high with 100 x 100 compound, enclosed with an 8’ fence; it will not impact the environment. The townspeople were disappointed that there were no site plans available to see at this meeting only a report with a small picture of the site. Al St. Louis asked what they are required by law to file and was told everything that applies to the site. Kathy Demers asked if the state has the final say and was told yes, the Town has the opportunity to participate and the Siting Council will hold 2 meetings in Town. The will have a field review one afternoon, around 3:00 P.M. and then a meeting around 4 :00 P.M. They will also hold another meeting that evening. The Council does notice it once or twice before the meetings.
They will be here to listen to everyone and take everything into consideration. The application and materials will be filed in advance. Al St. Louis asked if the formal site plan will be at that meeting and was told that it can be. A question was asked about the aesthetic and rural character on a major road. Ms. Donaldson commented that they have done a study of the primary site, it is visible from Camp Connri and Seckar Road, the rest is spotty and screened. The site lines show where you may or may not see the tower. The site was researched, it is 20 acres and they consider it a good site. A question was asked about the effect on migrating birds and Ms. Donaldson commented that she did not have enough knowledge on this to answer the question but this will be raised by the National Environmental Protection Association (NEPA) screening. Al St. Louis asked if they are required to file mylars and if the accuracy was sworn to? He
was told that mylars are not required and that full size prints will be signed and filed with the Town. Right now it is a proposed plan, not a site plan, it is different from the local process, the Council looks at everything together. We are developing a management plan for the application, and then within 30 days we file another plan. Al asked if all this information is for public review and was told yes, 2 months before the public hearing. No application has been filed yet, when we file it also goes to Planning & Zoning, Inland/Wetlands, the First Selectman and the Historic District. This is an informal review; the formal plans have not been filed yet. Ralph Tulis asked if the Siting Council attempts to comply with the local zoning rules since they have jurisdiction over the location of the cell tower?
PUBLIC MEETING -2- JUNE 11, 2002
Attorney Donaldson commented that they make every effort to comply with zoning regulations, the Council looks at local regulations and takes them into consideration. She favors site A (in the back) for the tower. Mr. Tulis commented that it does not comply with the regulations. David Greer, of 475 Tolland Turnpike, commented that he has a home, 3 acres and a pond with water fowl; he would be able to see the lights on the tower. Attorney Donaldson commented that the tower will be 199’ and it is not mandatory to have lights on it. Mr. Greer commented that Cingular should have informed the neighbors before this. Attorney Donaldson commented that when the time comes to make the application you will be notified, you will get a copy of the plan and the application. Mr. Greer
commented that that would be short notice. Mr. St. Louis asked if the state requires Cingular to hold this meeting and was told that it is not required. First Selectman Patton commented that the Town does not have jurisdiction, they have not filed before the Council, we are having this meeting so that people can have input, tell them what they want and Cingular may take it into consideration. Mr. Greer commented that he would fight the tower; the map does not even show his property. Attorney Donaldson commented that when we file it will show all the abutters, there are rigid requirements, these plans are not final, the Council will see your property. Mr. Greer commented that he would like to see a site C & D. Ralph Tulis asked what the duration of the lease was and was told 20/25 years and it is between Cingular and the property owner. This tower would plug a gap between Route 44, Route 320 and Route 74. It was not feasible to go
on to another tower. Al St. Louis asked how many co-locators will this have and was told 5 right away and 4 more in the future. Al asked if they did a balloon test and was told that it would be done the day of the field review. Attorney Donaldson commented that Cingular needs both proposed towers; they will be going on the Cordless Data’s tower also. Mr. Greer asked when they would get the copies of everything and was told it depended on when the Council scheduled the hearing, which could be 2 months after the application. The Council allows 30 days after the hearing for comments. Attorney Donaldson gave her phone number (203-877-8000) if anyone wanted to call her with questions. First Selectman Patton asked if there were any more questions or concerns. He thanked Ms. Donaldson for coming here. First Selectman Patton commented that this is our first public meeting for cell towers; we wanted to let the abutters what is
going on. This part of the meeting adjourned at 7:00 P.M. until the next proposed cell tower meeting at 8:00 P.M.
First Selectman Patton reconvened the meeting at 8:00 P.M. with Bob Francis from Cordless Data Transfer, Inc. present. Cordless Data proposes building a cell tower on Turnpike Road. Mr. Francis commented that Cordless Data Transfer is in the business of building towers and renting them to the cell phone companies. Cingular has proposed a 180’ self-supporting tower, with 4 carriers and a minimum of 12 antennas, on Turnpike Road, past the overpass, on 14.9 acres that are wooded. It would have 800’ road front and a 350’ driveway that curves so that you can’t see the tower from Turnpike Road. They put a 180’crane there with antennas on top of it and drove around to test it. It covers the pattern they want and works. You could not see the crane from
anywhere on Turnpike Road or the truck stop; you can see it from Red & Art’s and from the bridge. It is in a spot that you can barely see it from anywhere. Al St. Louis asked if there are two choices? Mr. Francis said yes but the 2nd spot is further back and the driveway and power would be longer. Ralph Tulis asked about the impact on the future use of the lot if you lock in the entire lot for the cell tower? Mr. Francis commented that the owner thinks the other piece of the property is better for future development, we are using very little of the 14.9 acres and we don’t think we will disturb anything for the future. Mr. Malack asked how many feet from the road and Town property is it and was told 450’. Mr. Francis commented that the adjacent land is forestry and he doesn’t think it would affect the value of it. Ralph Tulis asked how many carriers and antennas can you put on a tower? Mr. Francis commented
that we have 4 carriers and 12 antennas; it is designed for 48 antennas. After 4 carriers if a 5th came along we would figure out what we need to do, we never had a problem with it. V. Pelletier asked why they would have a lattice tower? Mr. Francis commented that it is self-supporting, more flexible, less costly, and they liked it better than monopole. Lattice is structurally sounder than monopole and is solid.
PUBLIC MEETING -3- JUNE 11, 2002
With a monopole, if there is ledge the foundation needs to be 47’ deep and we need to anchor it to the ledge underneath. Al St. Louis asked if Cordless Data was the applicant and was told yes. Steve Levine, from Cingular, commented that they need this to close a gap, they are here to lend support to CDT, this is not a spec tower; Cingular will use it. First Selectman Patton asked Mr. Francis if he has submitted anything to the CT Siting Council and was told no, CDT plans to submit in July. First Selectman Patton asked if there were any more questions or comments. Hazel Barber read a letter of support for this tower asking for it to be approved without prejudice. Al asked if there were any towers that they build in the area? Mr. Francis said there was one in Bloomfield.
Ralph commented that in his travels he noticed that if a lattice tower has many carriers it can look wider than a monopole tower, our zoning regulars prefer monopole. Mr. Francis commented that they would like the support of the Town when they have their meeting with the Council. We are more than willing to adjust our proposal to make everyone comfortable. When we design we try to find a place it will not be intrusive and accomplish the task. There are few places you can see this tower from, it is not obtrusive. It covers the area that the telephone company needs, and in the least objectionable way. Talk to us before complaining. Al asked how far is it from Turnpike Road Extension and was told about 2 lots before it. Al commented that it is probably a good location if you have to have one. The power lines will probably be buried. Al asked about the lighting and was told it would be a sensor. Mr. Francis thanked
everyone. First Selectman Patton adjourned the meeting at 8:38 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Bowen
Mary Bowen
Secretary
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