Although they sit side by side, Westfield, NJ and Scotch Plains, NJ do not see eye to eye on cell tower plans. Westfield has approved plans to erect an AT&T (NYSE: T) cell tower within their borders, but residents who live close to the site in neighboring Scotch Plains have complained loudly about Westfield’s decision. As Tap Into Scotch Plains/Fanwood reports, the Scotch Plains Town Council has made it official, passing Resolution 2024-68 to oppose the 130-foot cell tower project.
“This location is not in the best interest of our residents, and we are hopeful that Westfield can still revisit this,” said Deputy Mayor Ellen Zimmerman. “I don’t know if that’s possible, but I am hopeful that they could find an alternate location.”
“Essentially, we, the good residents of Scotch Plains, will be forced to live adjacent to AT&T’s for-profit structure, which will only benefit the town of Westfield,” said resident Karen Langer, one of the individuals who does not want the cell tower in her backyard. “We hope the council will continue to talk to their counterparts in Westfield and encourage them to move this huge monstrosity to a more appropriate location.”
“In all my conversations with the mayor [Shelly Brindle] of Westfield she’s been straightforward and aware that this location affects Scotch Plains residents,” said Mayor Josh Losardo, reported Tap Into Scotch Plains/Fanwood. “She has shared with me that Cranford is installing a cell tower of their own that affects Westfield residents. I’ve tried advocating that another location be found. She’s consistently told us that to satisfy the cellular problem that they have, their consultant tells them that that’s the ideal location.”“I hope that this resolution helps persuade them to still reconsider,” added Losardo.
Although Resolution 2024-68 puts in writing Scotch Plains’ intentions to work with Westfield to find a cell tower location that is more agreeable to Scotch Plains, it is up to Westfield to decide how to respond. Scotch Plains Councilman Matt Adams told TAPintoSPF that he supports the Scotch Plains residents “who have taken their battle to court, and I wish them lots of success in fighting this misguided decision.”
Reader Interactions