>Ridgewood Council Meeting March 2, 2011 where ATT’s interest in the Firehouse is discussed.
See below minutes from Village of Ridgewood Council Meeting March 2, 2011 where ATT’s interest in the Firehouse is discussed. Village seemed to be ready, willing and able. Why is the Village stalling?
Dr. Gabbert said that the Village has been approached by a cellular carrier regarding a potential site for a cellular tower at the Fire Headquarters Building on East Glen Avenue. This would require a full bid process and the interested company may not be the successful bidder. This carrier has indicated that a 100 ft. monopole to support two carriers would meet their needs and the Village Engineer, Christopher Rutishauser, recommends bidding out a 140 ft. monopole that would permit a maximum of five carriers. Dr. Gabbert said that Mr. Rutishauser can explain this proposal in more detail to the Village Council or they could direct him to go forward with the specifications. These specifications would include an upgrade of Village communication equipment. Dr. Gabbert confirmed Mayor Killion’s thinking that the existing radio tower at the Fire Department would be removed.
Councilwoman Walsh asked if the proposed tower is similar in height to the tower near the Shell Gas Station. Dr. Gabbert said that the existing tower is 120 ft. and the technology has changed, resulting in towers with smaller bases. Councilman Riche questioned whether a zoning change would be necessary to accommodate the tower. Mr. Rogers indicated that it would be a good idea to bring that question to the Planning Board even though this is Village property and it would be exempt from Planning Board review.
Councilwoman Walsh recalled that a group came to the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) recently about a 140 ft. pole at the Valleau Cemetery. Mr. Rogers said that this would require a use variance because it is outside of the zone where these towers are permitted. He knows of three sites that are under consideration now, with one that has actually reached the application stage. Dr. Gabbert commented that there are several areas of Village properties that are under review at the moment for the installation of cellular towers.
Councilman Aronsohn questioned potential revenue and Mr. Rogers said that the Glen Rock site is generating $40,000 annually from each carrier but it depends on the site and the opportunity for coverage for the particular carriers. Dr. Gabbert said that an annual fee of $30,000 to $35,000 per carrier would be a reasonable amount that could be anticipated. A tower at the Fire Department property could accommodate 5 carriers if it were 140 ft. high. The bid proposal would include the removal of the existing tower, the erection of the new tower to Village standards, the deeding over of the tower to the Village at some point and escalating payments. This would be a revenue source with no outside expenses other than legal and engineering to prepare the specifications. Dr. Gabbert explained that that each carrier requires access to an area at the base of the monopole where there is a small structure which contains cellular related equipment. There is some flexibility in terms of location and it would be well blocked from any neighborhood. Mayor Killion said that the company that approached the Village indicated that they would be willing to upgrade their generator as well as the Fire Department’s generator which would result in a greater capacity.
Councilman Wellinghorst asked about the number of carriers that could be located on this tower. Dr. Gabbert said that a 140 ft. pole could accommodate 5 carriers; however, it depends on the areas that the individual carriers want to service.
Mayor Killion asked about notification to the neighbors. Dr. Gabbert said they would bring specifications back to the Village Council first with the next step being notification of the neighbors. Councilmembers agreed to move forward as described by Dr. Gabbert.
The text of these minutes confirms the contentions I made in a post a few days ago about the process through which T-Mobile is pursuing its increasingly-absurd application to place a cell-phone tower in an area zoned for residential use, despite the fact, ably and continually confirmed, that there are several, and much better, sites available to T-Mobile for its beloved “faux pine tree”. Set aside, for the moment, the proposed AT&T takeover of T-Mobile, the possible health hazards of exposure to cell phone radiation, the new technology that is coming on-line very soon that will make cell towers obsolete, the recent FCC legislation requiring carriers to initiate roaming benefits for all of their users, etc.
It seems to me that this application is being pursued to benefit the lawyers and consultants involved first, and secondarily, T-Mobile’s customers. Prediction, and I hope that this comes to fruition: T-Mobile will wake up, say “never mind” and withdraw its application. The cell phone companies should pursue, first and foremost, new cell towers in those areas that want them. There are countless municipalities that could use additional funding sources. The good people of Barnett Place should not bear the burden of the extremely high opportunity cost of permitting a cell tower within its proximity.
