HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-11-20 22a
November 20. 1.991
PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED CELLULAR TOWER
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The publib hearing on the proposed cellular tower on Bostwick Road was 7
called to order at 7 :35pm with the following members present:
Elected Officials: Other Officials:
Supervisor Etta Gran r1fown Historian M. Clyde Hubbell
Councilman Donald Lovelace Town (*,'A.erk Jean Scofield
Councilman Robert Linton Town Attornev Shirley Egan
Councilman Onale Mente
'® Supervisor Gray road the legal notice that appeared in the Tthac
Journal announcing the public hearing on the proposed cellular tower
on Bostwick Road. The Public Hearing was opened to the public.
Ezra Cornell commented that there was not enough information
available . He discussed 9 items that were important regarding the
has an impact; 2) impact
tower: 1) impact on land, a 350 foot tower I
on the water, 3) impact on animals; 4) impact on aesthetic resources;
5) impact on transportation: 6) impact on public health; 7) impact on
the growth and character of the neighborhood. 8) public controversy;
9) concerns relating to television dishes and antennas.
Karen Anderson presented a petition with 139 signatures of people
concerned about the proposed cellular telephone tower to be built near
Bostwick Road- They asked the town board to not grant a building
permit until the Planning Board has a chance to review the
environmental impact statement, a public hearing can be held BO
citizens can air their concerns, and alternative sites can be -fully
explored.
Bill Bassett spoke regarding #11 on the EAF. He stated he was worried
about the affects on the aesthetic resources. He said the tower would
be visible from Treman Park and the Finger Lakes Trail. He presented
information on this to the Enfield Town Board.
Jim Merkle stated he has a picture window that would look toward ' he
tower- He asked that the project be presented to the Planning Board.
Jeff Bassett stated that there would 'be an impact on an historical
landmark. the Old Mill in Treman Park.
Mary Lou Novich felt that there would biological affects towards
people.
Dave Iannello said lie was opposed to the tower.
Robert Cooper said there would be risks and benefits from the tower.
He was concerned about the risks.
Andy Ruina said he does not want the Lower . He felt that the second
balloon was not 350 'feet high. The three names that were given to him
by CommStruct who lived near other towers were Joseph Fannarra, a
employee of the coinpanv and two others who had owned or leased the
land for the towers.
AnneRobbins said she does not feel reassured about the health effects
from the tower.
Ken Butler said the people will not want to build houses around the
tower_
PeterMoore said lie was in favor of the tower being in Enfield.
Jo Ella Moore stated she has no objections to the tower; but would
like to hear what CominStruct has to sav_
Alan Fisher felt that the businesses would benefit from a cellular
tower but the ordinary citizens would not.
Kate E'ott.eiger concerned regardini:: potential health hazards and
property value . :she read a statement T:•t'e r.>ared by her, husband, Steve.
Go,ggin. wive) was unable to attend the 'PUbliC_ he7.rilirr. It stated that
the proposed deadline should be extendr.!-d and the t:)roJect should not; be
allowt:.d t:.0 move forward until safety i�. assLlr•ted.
Dan Fler. les-:�e said people were not informed about the tower. More
people woulcl be concerned about the tower if they were aware. He said
he had three children and felt there were possible health risks. He
stated he was aware of a ti:mel.i.ne, but the town needs to have the
answers; to the c_o.ncerns- He felt +_•h(: t.wer.' wr)uld a:tfeQt miaratory
b:l.rdS, alld rlow t'U)t11 woke I d ti(A. L)e bU i 1. t. clear the
towt'.r' .
Tom HutchinsoI'1, i-rC.'- ess.ioIlal rei ordinh': :_,tudir.) owner , said he did not
know if the tower wot_llcl a%. :ec t his He does not know at
what frequencies and at what levei_s 'tne tower would affect him-
Russ Maracle asked what the benefits w• iuld be . 1'he tower would have a
negative impact on the town.
Joel Ray. Town of Caroline. spoke, rega i-li.nk the electro-magnetic
health hazards. He has written a boot-_ on the subJect. There has been
studies done on animals and humans that. should effects after exposure
to microwaves and radiation. The Toc-,rn -Board should determine exactly
what power levels will be generated. U011111IStruct should demonstrate
that it w1.11 wc.)_t re it .:space to other u8er. s of. towers.
Gene Endres. member of the Plannina Board. said Co1nmStruct was at the
Plannin-- Board meetiI'lg l.as night. - Comill:stru.rt was very helpful in
answering' auestions. Mr. Endres felt that most people of Enfield
could not afford to use a cellular phone to benefit from the tower.
Comm�Struct should commit themselves that, the tower would not be used
for anything else .
Ashley Miller doubted thu= the tower wc-,uld Benefit the towel in -taxes.
Gordon Vh.n Ned r'vnen stated he liver: by f-he WTKO tower oil Mecklenburg
_..-. Road. The= towel' w(-:iuld ri,)t bother him a r it was built...
Eileen E,-_uh r.•rese•nted a T_,et•it.i.on '.hat signed by residents of Gray
Rr�ad. :=,he leas, a friend that had .:1 tower with electro-magnetic fields
near her home . The friend had to sell the-Lr Mollie at a loss- Her
friend t--lid a stud,- and it}und that rF: si•_i�n_:s .in. an llalf mile radius of
the tower wr're 1Tit_'-re t='rone tc!
(.;indy -,he town boarn Would not 3o,,ijrove the tower.
Don Kinp- saicl he had a dual i_-'ace.Dm,-_.t•:er_ He was worried about the
microwaves.
Hobert Lynch. 'staff ena'ineer CNith ,9.I1 i nderjelldent ('011sultina fired and
also president of Romar t ommuni r_.at ie•1n . lHe asked how the frown could
ruin a good idea with rumors. He f-1 1 t 711,11: the tower is a low ;power
transmitter . D,)es, not. :':'eel IAIE'r+a is ;, liealt.h risk. He stated that
WTKO con t.r acted a tower in 1972 tl Hi l._•_ . Pro perty values have
crews •9- .. Ch
in E=' •,i:�t; •^a:= [{iLl as %inVl:•l•_it`t_' ..2 1 , •, 1_s ,��•,:� tthe. . i-, i_ 1 flavor of
!Y KF.?.I. ii:]��.•t�>' ;�t.i:t't�=:::1 l'1•::: CQ•:i:'= ].Il :1:21rr_1't' :_ t. ;'.}7:-- `.t:}f+7c-.r, l-1,F? does feel that the
tower' wou.l_cl cl;f'1 t=•t_{� �l.�.r.'<_m--at'1 Furl`_
Mr. T'rJ'„?t:� •
. l rij= 'i'zet-E:,r•• iC7_i�;l Wrlc_ l.il f3s,,_Ir tticnl;.�i'•-
Stephen l.+d6ov t•tatr d he was in favor of _ e tower.
' Alfred iddv. (DWIler of land where T:,ror)(Dsed tower is to be built, stated
he was in favor of tower.
Earl Miller said he had a son who has two_ toa ,.?ers on his property. He
has never seen any dead birds. Mr . 1 U 1 1 r
a celluLar :,ici he would like to have
l:llr,Ilt✓
Paul jacol_,. .aatat?ri lei-?. could -use ?Y' i`11n21:� In 11iS bUS121E'SS.
Seigfried Werners saita ne •,^_,bJ ctect 1---, t
f i� _ ��iI to r•.
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The owner, of Grund Airport was worried ab(DUt the tower in relation to
flight patterns.
Debby Carpenter . lives ne.xt-. t() j:1r0j'_XDs:-e1-1 tower , -she stated she was
against the tower.
John McConkey felt that the proposal shou]-d go to the Planning Board.
John Smith said the 'tower can go in his back yard.
Joel Rav, author Of bOO]", on electro marrnetico, stated that there has
been 8C-17 1()11(7! on '11iCr(')WRv(S IT ic fie.lds and
microwaNies are the same thirig. The frequenev on cellular phones are at
7 watts, normal phones are 3 watts.
Andy Rui.ria read excerj7.,ts from boo,i;-r Currents stating all electro-
magnetic fields affect health.
• Mr . _14-�rncl-i a-.tated, each atan�is a from mif'rowaves'l
personal computers. or televisions.
Karen Anderson asked if the tower will have a shield.
Keith Osber . attorney for said that Pegasus is the
cellular company and CominStruct is the construction company.
Pegasus/CommStruct will only use the tower for cellular phones. Yes,
in the beginning the cellular phones will be expensive but the cost
should (Dome down- There are manv benefits of having a cellular phone
in a car. The FAA has approved ti-ie site . The FAA requires lights on
the tower . He felt. the Planning Board was in favor 5 - 2 of the
tower. Concerns of the towns T.)eoi_-,1e are normal.
Jules Cohen, a retired senior engineer with an construction engineering
firm in radio erigine-eriri(g. spoke- the tower. He stated that
the tower will have 3 small antennas 1' Like whips ) with 850 - 870
megahertz of range. Electro-inag-netic energy is generated by the sun.
One antennae will be used for transmiss; on _ Two antennae will be used
for receiving. He does not see anyway that ;_:kny satelite dish would be
affected by the tower- The energy levels are too low to affect any
types of situations described.
BillBassett asked what power U11itS WOUld used at portable units. It
was answered - 1_. watts.
Andy Ruina agreed that a 5-00 watt, trani-_,mitter would not affect him.
It was asked if any other sites or towers been considered for use. it
was answered the location must be in ti,e area to work with other
towers bein5. built .
It was asked if construction has L;een started at the other 5 sites.
It was answered . no.
Itwas asked if a second balloori WaS UTD. Yes, a total of 3
balloons was put up. Se,,,rerall i:leople commented that they say them.
Ezra Cornell asked if it was possible it computations ions can be made
available to the -t,(--)wn board- Mr. ("oheri answered yes, they were
available .
• Andy Rllina would like to s-i:,eak -to peoy-,le who live near other towers.
Perhaps, neighbors pay for a balloon to be put ul--, at 350 feet so it
would be agreed that a balloon is erected the 1-,.eight of the tower.
What are the benefits of the tower in t'ne town'? Jobs. assessed value,
and proaress in i�4eneral was answered- it, was stated that cellular
phones would have a free 911 line .
What are the tax benefits for Enfi(:-: "Ld';-' Councilman Linton estimated
that the town would benefit and incre;,io.e of 1/4 million dollars in
assessment-
What about de-evaluation of propertv niear the tower'? It was answered
that property would not. lose value.
Lion Kin- asked if thev could give hi.In a written statement saying he
would be safe because of his, double pacemaker.
Karen Anderson asked the Town Board iT' these is anything in the way
for the Town Board to vote no to the tc;cwer..
Attorney .')hirlc.'v Eg. ri st,,r'at,ed t.f.ar:.tt l.j'rt ,r ' Ibis to k:.)e s_-uffic:ient evidence
to stop a public i.it•i.l-itv from oper at.ins-. . It. is subject to ;judicial
examination that there is sufficient, ev:i_r-lence .
Ezra Cornell stated that, SEQR is riot a tr-jo 1 that determines decision.
Supervisor ta.rav asked if the company wotild consider locating, the
ma.i_ntenrince bu.i.ldi.T'.ta to the tower? i t ttaas answered that a site was S
already chosen in downtown
Supervisor Gray asked fnr L�arol_i..ne� rioil viiaiii if -lietowkei" ever fell
clown, would it .fal.l on it's own i.aricl. It was answered that. it would
not fall tyown.
Linda VanNedervnen e gated she was -scared at first of the tower but has
a better understanding -that there is no health risks for her and her
four children. The tower would he located ne:'>t to her. land.
Ezra C'orne.l.l sRicl that. tl-ie town board has '--,ad enough information to be
able t;,- tudy t;hein to make a decision . Ile asked if during the process
of application has the town board felt the- threat of a law suit by
Pep'as1.'s,/Ct7I mSt.ruet'C
S'Llpervisor r;rav read a letter from the. Town of Ithaca asking about the
visual itn{)act of the tower and the t,,Vpe Fa.t"id ootential iII'ipact of the
microwave to and from the tower. There were no
rel:>reselzt,at i.ves from theTown of .I thac:,a . SFOR and information was
.given to -i,: Town ":'lUpervi.sor or. l thaca i?,r. t.or to the meeting.
There wet'_'? no Illo t-e gLiestions.
Supervisor t_ir%a'v C L'lt,l e7 t•hI ' }:Li 1l t. lit- ar- I.t?!.'; at .11 : 45 l:Dnl.
The _31)ec is 1_ !`owrl Mbar d Meet i nt? �,7a=, c a i ead to order.
Councilman LintoIl made ti motion to postpone t rite r-�ecial Town Board
Meetinis until December end or 9th at '7 :: r:t r,m in the Colnmunit•y
Buildi.nR. Counc,i.:l_man Mente seconded t,h , motion. Motion carried.
Meeting adJourned at i l. : 55 ptrl.
;� :al�ectt�..ally submitted.
�-eui �:c:o*ielr:i
t tt i.ieI' d '.I.,.,wn e.•3.erk
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