by Joan Eliyesil ·
Friday, July 12, 2024
The cell tower to be built by Wireless Edge on town-owned land behind Hildreth House just got taller. Initially discussed as a 135-foot tower, the terms of the lease approved by the Select Board at its July 2 meeting are for a 150-foot tower and an additional 6 feet of antennas. Town Administrator Tim Bragan said the additional height was needed for the antennas, which will improve public safety radio reception.
Although the board approved the lease, Wireless Edge will still need to seek variances, including a height variance, from the Zoning Board of Appeals. In addition, the Planning Board must grant a special permit for construction to proceed. Both processes require public hearings.
In 2022, prior to Annual Town Meeting, wireless communications consulting firm Isotrope conducted a crane test to determine the visual impact of a 135-foot tower. Following that test, at a Feb. 1 Select Board meeting, the firm recommended the 135-foot height not just to improve coverage around town center, but also to attract more carriers. A few months later, the town voted to approve leasing the land near Hildreth House for a tower. No height was specified in the warrant article.
Select Board member Kara Minar questioned the new height, saying that a 156-foot structure over Hildreth House is “pretty significant.” Photos of the crane test showed that a 135-foot tower would be highly visible from town center, as well as from parts of Pond Road, most of the Bromfield School, and along Mass. Ave. from Bolton Road to the elementary school. Bragan said Town Counsel Mark Lanza assured him that a signed lease agreement does not preclude the Zoning Board or the Planning Board from imposing further restrictions on the tower, including height restrictions.
Minar also objected to a clause in the lease that would allow Wireless Edge to repair, upgrade, or replace the tower, saying that the Select Board should have the authority to review the specifications of a replacement tower. Bragan responded that the terms of the lease still have to go through the Planning and Zoning boards.
Four of the five Select Board members voted to approve the lease; Minar abstained.