Tower Companies Forced Out by Opposition

Nowadays almost every child has a cell phone so when a parent or sibling is running late they can text or leave a voicemail message explaining that they will arrive around 2:45 instead of 2:30 or that they need to go to the after school program and wait until about 3:30. This seems completely acceptable and totally feasible, right? Yes and no. Yes, it’s acceptable and no, it isn’t feasible in some places where parent opposition is forcing tower construction companies to back out of projects leaving the area without sufficient cell phone coverage. Most recently, in Montgomery County, Maryland Milestone Communications has come to an agreement with the school board for nine towers on school property throughout the county. Under the agreement with Milestone, the school system would receive $25,000 for each site and 40 percent of the gross revenue from the tower on its site. The school system estimates that the agreement could generate $2.5 million over five years. However, not surprisingly, the parents are unhappy about this agreement and want to put a stop to the construction. “I don’t think putting cell towers on school property should be a business that schools are involved in,” said Thea Scarato, a parent who has testified before the Board of Education on studies that raise concerns about the dangers posed by cell phone towers. Shortly after the board approved the policy, but before the lease agreement was signed, Del. Jolene Ivey (D-Prince George’s) introduced a bill to block the school system from allowing the towers on school sites after she received complaints from residents, according to The Washington Post. The legislation did not pass. Milestone Communications will continue to apply for building permits to construct these towers throughout the town.