Residents in both Hanover and Rockland, MA oppose a 120-foot monopole slated for construction on residentially-zoned land, citing environmental and aesthetic concerns. According to The Patriot Ledger, T-Mobile is proposing the project and asking the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) to approve height and use variances.
Resident Maureen Clark, who runs the “AGAINST the Webster St-White Rd Cell Tower” Facebook group questions the validity of the project. “One of the houses on the end of my street couldn’t put a shed on her own property because they said it was on wetlands,” noted Clark. “They’re questioning why they couldn’t put things on their property, yet they can throw a 120-foot cell tower right there.”
Additionally, Rockland Selectman Michael Mullen submitted an opposition letter to the zoning board last fall because he doesn’t believe T-Mobile exhausted potential land options in Hanover. “I have significant questions and concerns about the site selection processes that the proposer actually went through to identify the site,” said Mullen. “I just don’t think it’s appropriate… for the pole to be located at the end of this residential area.”
Once T-Mobile presents more robust plans, the ZBA will hire an independent engineer to review the plans and ultimately make a recommendation to the board.
If the ZBA approves the variance, Clark said a group of residents plans to pursue legal action. “We really feel we have no choice,” said Clark. “We would be appealing this, absolutely.”
January 5, 2018
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