Verizon Wireless pulled the plug on a project to install small cells on utility poles in Burlington due to a collection of provisions the town enacted. Wicked Local reported Verizon cited these as “unacceptable” and will not proceed with the project.
In July, Verizon approached the Board of Selectmen with a proposal to fix gaps in coverage with the boosters. Since then, the board has received complaints from the public, citing safety concerns, questioning the necessity of the small cells, and whether this approval will set a precedent for antenna installation in the community, reported Wicked Local.
Due to the complaints, the town formed the Small Cells Committee to establish a policy concerning the installation of the boosters. The conditions included that no apparatus could be attached to a double pole, equipment should be camouflaged, and Verizon would have to go through an annual recertification process; Verizon took issue with these conditions, especially the latter.
“I am concerned about the recertification process, I am not authorized by my client to move forward if the recertification fee is part of this board’s approval,” said Daniel Klasnick, an attorney representing Verizon. “We don’t feel that it is consistent with state or federal law. We are concerned about any attempt to impose something that might set a precedent for what we suppose to be an unauthorized fee,” added Klasnick.
Klasnick asked the board to approve the application without the certification fee, Wicked Local reported. He argued the company had gone through the application process in the appropriate manner before the additional conditions were enacted.
The board was consistent in their support for the conditions that were put in place by the committee, so Klasnick requested the withdrawal of the application, tabling any plans for small cell installation in Burlington.
November 15, 2018
