Hudson Valley Residents “Just Say No” to Tower Proposal

SHARE THIS ARTICLE

The Nelsonville Village Board has been in negotiations with Homeland Towers to place a 110-foot tower in the area and in October, recommended a four-acre site as an alternative to the original proposed site overlooking a cemetery, reported The Highlands Currant. Even with the new proposal, residents have readily expressed their opposition to the site.

Regarding the proposed site, Mayor Bill O’Neill told attendees at a recent board meeting, “We see it as a suitable alternative. You may disagree.” O’Neill stressed that the FCC requires Nelsonville to act on the tower application by December 17, or face a potential lawsuit by the wireless companies. “Our sovereignty can be overridden by the FCC,” he said.

But many residents still objected, chanting “Just say no!” during the meeting, which was held in an auditorium due to the expected turnout. They cited concerns regarding radio-frequency emissions and the proximity of the proposed site to an elementary school. Another concern was related to an environmental factor, since “a very large wetland area” is at the center of the proposed site. Other residents challenged the ownership of the property for the proposed tower site, claiming it belongs to taxpayers.

O’Neill addressed concerns, noting that “the radiation from your cell phone is 100 times more powerful than radiation from a tower,” but dubbed the environmental questions “valid” and promised to thoroughly evaluate the property. Regarding the ownership of the property, O’Neill responded to detractors with, “Your opinion is welcome, though highly debatable.”   

After much discussion, one frustrated attendee asked, “‘No’ to what? ‘No’ to this site? ‘No’ to that site? Wherever a tower is constructed, someone is going to be affected more than others,” and urging everyone to come together. Under village code, the installation of a tower typically requires a special-use permit. The Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Board will have a joint public hearing this week to determine next steps.                                           

November 16, 2017               

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.