UPDATE Months of loud lobbying will find a group of Pittsfield, MA citizens meeting with members from the Board of Health, city Health Department and Verizon Wireless later this week. The Berkshire Eagle has documented the cell tower drama from the beginning, taking readers from pre-construction up to the current battle. Alma Street resident, Courtney Gilardi, initially objected to the structure on aesthetic grounds, but after the 115-foot tower was built she has claimed that she and her daughter have both suffered from poor health due to the tower’s proximity to their home.
Gilardi has been tireless in her quest to have the tower removed, demanding responses from the city of Pittsfield, the Zoning Board, and the Board of Health. The upcoming meeting will review the results of a study conducted to assess radiation levels. Verizon representatives will be attending via Zoom. A radio frequency expert will be joining the Verizon party.
“I think it’s a good opportunity for them to hear and get a sense of the community’s pulse relative to the tower,” Brad Gordon, representing the Board of Health, told the Berkshire Eagle. “I don’t know what the result will be from that, but the fact that they’re willing to meet with us is a step in the right direction.”
Gilardi also expressed her support for the meeting, noting, “We know that our best hope for immediate relief is a good outcome from the talks between each of you and Verizon.” An attempt to challenge the permit process that allowed the cell tower to be built in the first place was thrown out of court last month. Verizon Wireless and the ZBA won that round, but the matter is currently under appeal. Knowing that the appeal won’t see a courtroom before 2022, Gilardi told the Board, “We are praying and waiting with bated breath for your efforts to be successful. You guys are our hope.”
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