Pointing to the prior administration in state government, Belmar, NJ Mayor Gerald Buccafusco disavowed any responsibility for an agreement that would allow Verizon to erect cell towers near the boardwalk. Verizon has stated that the 35-foot cell towers will shore up service, so to speak, in the vacation destination town, reports AlticeUSA News 12 Network, a cable and streaming service.
“I was very upset,” said Mayor Buccafusco upon learning of the impending cell towers. “It was heartbreaking to me to think we would destroy the aesthetic beauty of our beach here. They said we had already made this agreement with the prior administration, and we are not going to move forward with any other discussions.”
Buccafusco has said he has reached out to Verizon, and will also be bringing the matter before the borough council. Although no specific timetable has been posted, Verizon has indicated that it would like to get moving on the project and would at least like to have temporary service available later this summer. An unnamed Verizon representative stated that Verizon put a lot of research into selecting the sites that it chose, and is willing to work with the community to custom design the poles to fit in with the atmosphere of the area.
“We come to the beach to get away from our phones. How important is it to post Instagrams when you’re here to relax?” local resident Dan Rubinetti told AlticeUSA News 12 Network. “We are still wondering why it’s not in any of the other towns? Why they picked Belmar? We want answers.”
Rubinetti and others have signed a petition to block the construction of the cell towers, but at this time, no change to the Verizon plan has been announced.
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