A proposed cell phone tower on Route 302 is sparking concern among local residents, with some worried about its impact on property values and the potential for further infrastructure.

The project was presented to the town planning board on April 23. It was presented by attorney Scott Olson of Young/Sommer LLC on behalf of Verizon. Before a tower can be approved, Verizon must demonstrate that the proposed location is the most viable for current and future network needs.

This proposal follows a balloon test conducted several months ago, which allowed board members and residents to visualize the tower’s potential appearance from various locations and elevations. The test involved raising balloons to simulate the height of the tower – starting at 130 feet, including antennas, and lowering in five-foot increments down to 120 feet. Verizon engineers stated that 120 feet is the minimum height that would still be effective, though they strongly prefer at least 125 feet for adequate coverage.

According to Verizon, the area currently lacks sufficient service, a claim supported by an extensive coverage study presented at the meeting. The proposed tower is expected to fill existing service gaps and reduce the need for additional towers in the future. However, Verizon acknowledged that even if this tower is built, future infrastructure may still be necessary – particularly if other carriers require similar support.

This point raised concerns among board members, who are wary of further infrastructure cluttering the area. To address these issues, the board hired an independent radio frequency (RF) engineer, William Johnson, to review Verizon’s data and assess additional implications, and if this is the right idea moving forward. Johnson confirmed the importance of tower height for maximizing coverage and minimizing overlap with nearby installations.

Verizon’s plan involves integrating the new tower with an existing base station in the area. Together, they would create overlapping zones of service, allowing users’ devices to automatically connect to the strongest signal available. This system would also help prevent network congestion, which occurs when too many users attempt to access the same tower simultaneously.

The proposed tower will operate on a mid-band frequency – commonly used in suburban areas – which offers a balance between coverage area and signal strength. Mid-band towers, according to the engineers, are more effective than low-band towers for supporting modern data needs while working efficiently with other nearby stations.

In addition to technical concerns, aesthetic and property issues were raised by both the board and residents. Some neighbors fear the tower’s height will obstruct views and negatively affect property values. A screening plan has been proposed that would use tall trees to shield the tower from view. Officials noted that the trees would take years to mature and offer full coverage.

Despite the pushback, Verizon’s engineers maintained that the chosen site is optimal. They explained that moving the tower even a mile from the target location would compromise its effectiveness due to the concentration of network demand in the area.

The town board now faces a complex decision that weighs technological necessity against resident concerns and long-term infrastructure goals. Engineers stressed that while their models are based on reliable data, the true effectiveness of the tower will only become clear after it is operational. Even then, the need for additional towers cannot be entirely ruled out.

For now, the board will continue reviewing the proposal as it awaits the full study from Verizon to assess local impacts. The project remains under consideration, with ongoing public input and further evaluation of any additional concerns raised by the board.