Antrim, NH is a rural settlement of less than 3,000 residents, according to the last census, and some of them are questioning whether or not they truly need their Lake Pierce cell tower. Industrial Tower and Wireless (ITW) built the tower in 2015, with plans to attract a provider who would be able to extend coverage to those living nearby. However, as the Monadnock Ledger-Transcript reports, the tower service is languishing and some Lake Pierce neighbors are calling for its removal.
“It’s time they did what they said they were going to do or the tower should be taken down,” noted Art Kauffman in a petition that he launched in 2023. The sentiment reached the ears of the Antrim Select Board, which brought it to the attention of the Antrim Planning Board.
“People who live on the lake are saying if they can’t get service, they don’t want to look at the tower anymore,” stated Select Board member Bob Edwards, who is, by extension, also a member of the Planning Board. “They are saying they want the tower taken down.”
“The goal is to get cell service by the lake and on Route 9,” said Planning Board member Kenneth Rubin, who indicated that he was not inclined to pursue removing the cell tower.
“There is not enough demand at that location,” responded Edwards, “It’s not feasible financially for the big providers.”
A lengthy discussion ensued, according to the Transcript, with the Planning Board eventually agreeing to look into the matter further. Planning Board Chair, Mark Murdaugh, said that the next step is for the Planning Board to do its complete due diligence and review the original ITW contract. As part of the review, he continued, the town will confer with its attorney to see if decommissioning the tower is an option.
Planning Board Vice Chair John Anderson stated one service provider on the tower was enough to keep it compliant. An ITW representative in attendance told the Planning Board previously that the tower “was operational with a 900 MHz system on the tower.” The Planning Board acknowledged that coping with the pandemic likely had an impact on the initial plans presented in 2015, and that a current review would be conducted before reaching any decisions on the fate of the 150-ft cell tower.
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