Semi-rural Towamensing Township, PA faces a challenge delivering digital connectivity to residents separated by wilderness areas and farms. However, as TNOnline.com reports, the Board of Supervisors has been reluctant to revise a flagpole/cell tower located on firehouse grounds. With a recent 2-1 vote, the Supervisors denied a conditional use permit that would have allowed Crown Castle to make modifications.
The source reports no issues with cell tower capabilities, instead focusing on the host flagpole. Re-configuring the dual purpose structure would lower the flag mounting height to 119-feet. The lower height would also change the dimensions of the flag from a 20-by-38-feet flag to 15-by-25-feet. Changes to the flagpole would allow NCWPCS MPL 30 Year Sites Holding LLC, an entity of Crown Castle, to upgrade dish antennas and wireless equipment.
Lowering the flag’s position also includes a plan to add a metal jacket designed to protect the flag from snagging on bolts and wrapping itself around the pole. “We know there have been issues with the flag snagging and wrapping around the structure,” said Crown Castle representative, Paul Peckens. “This is an effort to try to reduce the number of times it snags. Crown Castle would be willing to provide an initial flag [and a back-up],” he continued, “And then, if the backup flag needs to be hoisted, then Crown is obligated to provide another flag to put in reserve.”
The original agreement from 2000 specifies that the Fire Department is supposed to have access to the flag. However, standing-president of the Towamensing Township Volunteer Fire Company, Eric George, told the Board that it has been many years since the Fire Department has been able to touch the pole.
Providing attendees with some history about the situation, resident Kate Smith told TNOnline,com, “About six or seven years ago, when the flag was absolutely disgraceful, I called the fire company, and got the answering machine, and I was called back the next day, but I was told that ‘we can’t do anything about the flag, you’ll have to call the 800 number.’ So, I called the 800 number, which the man told me he was in Pittsburgh, and I asked why can’t the fire department go in and take care of it. He told me AT&T considered it a security threat to have a fireman inside the compound, and that’s why they were not allowing them to go in there.”
Supervisor John Kleintop, who voted against the conditional use permit, said, “I’m not in favor of setting a precedent here, because in the future, a request may be made to add more equipment, to lower the flag more, to make it smaller, and detract from the purpose of the flagpole, for the American flag. For that reason, I am not in favor of the request in its present form. If we can work out a better option for the flag, I am certainly open to looking at it.”
The matter remains under discussion.
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