Stalled Tower Project Finally Moving “North”

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The Petersham Town Council (MA) recently approved a 135-foot tower project, which was formerly rejected in January, reported the Athol Daily News. In February, the applicant, Tower North Development, filed a complaint in federal court, and county officials have been discussing the matter since.

According to Selectboard Chair Nancy Allen, “From February 24 through July 23, the Selectboard and ZBA have been meeting in executive session with town counsel…to discuss litigation. The result [was] unanimous votes were taken…by both the Selectboard and ZBA instructing town counsel to execute a final agreement for judgment with Tower North.” 

Allen added that the agreed-upon terms lowered the tower height by 25-feet — from 160-feet to 135-feet — and requires the tower to be a camouflaged monopine. The tower will also house three users, co-locating a Commonwealth Interoperable Radio System (COMIRS) for police and firefighters plus two commercial carriers. Allen expects that if the court makes a favorable ruling, litigation will officially come to an end. 

The Daily News reported that Tower North is leasing land from a private owner for the project. According to an attorney for Tower North, if the court makes a favorable decision within the next month, the construction of the tower can begin this fall.

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