Hung Up In Hingham

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Hingham, a coastal town south of Boston, MA, is clamoring for better cell service, reports The Anchor. A citizens group seeking better digital connectivity has met with the Select Board in hopes of coming up with a plan to provide reliable cell service in the area. Board Chair Liz Klein stated that establishing good cellular service in Hingham is “an important issue for the town, from both a safety and economic development perspective.”

Assistant Town Administrator Art Robert conducted a cellular service improvement presentation to talk over options for the town. Roberts also shared a tidbit about 911 service, advising those in attendance that in an emergency, texting “911” will summon help, accessing the nearest cell tower. Even when a call cannot ring through, the texted request will still connect to emergency services, Roberts said. Nevertheless, Roberts noted that Hingham is already considering several town-owned sites as possible locations for new cell towers.  

Board Member William Ramsey told The Anchor that town officials have met with internet service providers several times in search of a solution. We have “offered them some pretty good alternatives to address the problem,” he noted, adding, “We’ve suggested [possible locations] for medium-range towers in dead zones [and other ideas], but the provider has yet to act. It’s up to them to move forward.”

The citizens group noted that an online petition for better cell service received over 1,000 signatures, indicating that there is widespread support from the community. Despite the enthusiasm, Select Board Member Joseph Fisher, a former Zoning Board of Appeals member, advised that when it comes to actually constructing cell towers, nearby residents are prone to start complaining. He explained that when it came time for the ZBA to review new proposals for cell towers “there was community resistance. Nobody wants one in their backyard. Perhaps we should review our zoning bylaws to determine where it’s appropriate to cite cell towers.”

Chairman Klein noted that while the board “can’t just make this happen, we will continue to work on our end.” Board Member Ramsey suggested that Hingham should consider eliciting the help of Congressman Steven Lynch. “We’ll continue to make noise until the problem is resolved,” he declared. 

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