Representatives of Verizon went before the Planning Board on Tuesday.
WESTFIELD – Attorney Ellen W. Freyman, authorized agent for Verizon Wireless, came before the Planning Board on Tuesday for the second time seeking a special permit to build a 120 foot telecommunications tower on the grounds of Shaker Farms Country Club at 866 Shaker Road in Westfield.
Since the last hearing on February 12, a 3-foot diameter red balloon was flown at the site and height of the proposed tower at Shaker Farms. Freyman said they flew the balloon all day as planned on Saturday, February 24. The next planned Saturday (March 3) was not good weather. “We flew it today,” she said on Tuesday, calling it a perfect day with little wind. Planning Board member Bernard Puza said he visited Shaker Farms on March 6 to visit the proposed site for the tower, and observe the balloon flight.
“You couldn’t see the balloon today from the entire Valley Drive,” Puza said.
Michael Libertine of All-Points Technology and Attorney Ellen W. Freyman answered questions about the cell tower application for Verizon.
Michael Libertine of All-Points Technology said he has been siting towers for twenty years. “This is one of the better sites for visibility,” he said.
Planning Board member Cheryl Crowe said “it looked like Houdini,” because the balloon didn’t look like it was tethered to anything. Libertine said it was tethered to nylon string which is not visible. He said the tower itself will narrow from a four feet diameter to twelve inches below the antennae.
Last week, the Zoning Board of Appeals granted Verizon a variance of the ordinance which prohibits wireless telecommunications towers in the Rural Residential zoning district. Verizon representatives explained Tuesday that one of the objectives of the cell tower is densification of its services in the area, which they said had a large footprint that was strained under a demand for wireless services that has grown exponentially over the last five years.
Verizon’s overall goal in the area is to provide robust, consistent service to a large section of the area where they had not been providing LTE service, according to representatives.
Another waiver being requested is the requirement that the tower must be no less than 500 feet from each residential lot line. The proposed tower is within 226 feet of the closest residential lot line.
Freyman said as a part of the process they held a meeting for abutters, to discuss the cell tower proposal. Freyman said four people came to the meeting. Jay Vinskey said all abutters within 300 feet were notified. He said he has not received any feedback regarding the proposed cell tower.
Planning Board member John Bowen said his concern is having a shining metal tower in the wooded area. Libertine said the tower will have a dulled finish.
Crowe asked about the longevity of the towers, and was told they are designed for a lifetime, and had no shelf life on them. If they are not in use for a year, many municipalities require them to be taken down, according to Verizon officials. They also said while there is a space for other carriers on the tower, if that proves insufficient in the future, they could petition for a rebuild.
Crowe also asked about a security bond, which Freyman assured the board would be covered. The bond, which equals the cost of removal of the tower, is for the life of the tower.
Resident Kristen Mello asked whether there are any chemicals in the equipment, and was told the compound is gravel and concrete, with nothing hazardous. Propone generators at the site will have 100% containment. An eight-foot locked fence will surround the compound. The climbing pods start at 16 feet above the ground.
“We have to wait for the airport to rule. If they don’t rule by next week, we can vote on this,” said Planning Board chair William Carellas. Vinskey said the 45 day comment period runs out in a couple of days. The special permit was then continued to the next scheduled meeting on March 20.
