The Strasburg Town Council is set to approve “any feasible, appropriate plans” Verizon Wireless submits to add a halo of antennas to the town’s water tower. The Northern Virginia Daily reported that the water tower currently houses several carrier antennas.
When Verizon approached the town regarding the halo, it offered to cover costs for engineering and construction. During a work session last month, Council members discussed the opportunity but required additional information before casting a vote. Post work session, several council members posted a poll on their personal Facebook pages, soliciting residents’ opinions regarding the antennas.
The results showed that some people were concerned that improved service would be eclipsed by the “marring of an iconic view,” but respondents were overwhelmingly supportive of the addition.
On Tuesday, Councilwoman Christie Monahan motioned for the council to approve the project, given the proposal from Verizon is “favorable,” reported the Virginia Daily. She added that the town would be required to use any funds it receives from Verizon, and any other future providers using the halo, to be directed into the town’s water and sewer fund.
Vice Mayor Ken Cherrix said he likes the idea of the halo but wasn’t comfortable approving a plan that he hadn’t seen. “I’m not against it,” he said, “I just don’t want to say ‘go ahead and build it today.’ I’d still like to see all that engineering and studies brought in front of us before we approve anything being built. We do it with townhouses, we do it with neighborhoods, we do it with buildings, roads — this tower is no different.”
However, the Vice Mayor was overruled. Other than Cherrix, all council members voted in favor of the project during Tuesday’s meeting.
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