Seeking to address reports of poor connectivity in the region, Rising Tide Towers LLC has proposed erecting a 190-foot cell tower in Bow, NH. However, as Concord Monitor reports, not everyone in town is pleased with the prospect. Chief among its opponents are Rob and Kristine Parisien, who occupy the property next to the preferred tower site along Londonderry Turnpike East.
Rising Tide has eyed the 62-acre as a desirable location for the self-supporting structure. The 190-foot height does exceed the town ordinances specifying 90 feet as the maximum height for personal wireless service facilities. Some residents, like Dee Treybig, would like to see an alternate plan that relies on several small cell towers rather than one big one.
Town Manager, David Stack, said the planning board has flexibility on the cell tower’s height and is not required to go to the zoning board of adjustment for approval. The tower project kicked off when Stack met with a Rising Tide representative at an E911 commission meeting and brought then on board.
When critics questioned why Stack didn’t start the process by drafting an RFP and garnering multiple bids and suggestions, Stack responded, “There was no RFP put out asking for someone to come in and provide a response. The current company said that they are actually in the business of constructing towers and owning them,” he told the Monitor. “As opposed to someone just kind of speculating.”
The planning board has indicated that it will discuss the issue further at its next meeting. Though the cell tower proposal is on the table, Bow would need to agree to waive its ordinances before Rising Tide can move forward.
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