In its ongoing quest to bring better digital connectivity to rural Vermont, Verizon (NYSE: VZ) is readying an official cell tower proposal, reports the Manchester Journal. The matter has already been discussed more informally, with residents weighing in on their thoughts about a potential new tower occupying a site near the Riley Rink sports complex. Verizon has indicated that a structure at that location could also support AT&T equipment, reducing the need for additional cell towers in the near future. If approved, the resulting gray monopole would stand 140-feet tall and occupy a fenced 50-ft by 50-ft concrete pad.
Although the Public Utilities Commission has not yet received Verizon’s application, Manchester Town Manager, Scott Murphy said that Verizon will be moving ahead with an official request to build. He indicated that that town would receive notice from the PUC once an application is submitted. At that time, he added, the town will have 30 days to respond, “if we choose to,” pondering that Manchester may opt to “let it play out a bit.”
When asked about a possible second cell tower request from AT&T, Murphy responded, “We haven’t heard anything from them and they haven’t submitted an application. We don’t know what’s happening. The last time I talked with them at all, they were looking at a secondary location they thought would be better and they wanted some feedback from the Selectboard. We didn’t give them feedback.”
The Manchester Journal notes that everyone seems to agree that better cell service is needed in Manchester, but that townsfolk have expressed concerns about the presence of a cell tower in their downtown.
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