Circling the wagons in wake of cell tower hearing

CORNWALL — Residents are still stinging from what they feel was questionable treatment of those who participated in a July 20 public hearing before the Connecticut Siting Council on a proposed Verizon cell tower off Bell Road Extension.

A small crowd atttended the Aug. 2 Board of Selectmen’s meeting to appeal for help and to offer help, in hopes that the town’s concerns will be heard.

The deadline for submitting public comment on the proposed telephone tower is Aug. 19 — not a lot of time to organize a committee, as suggested, but one local couple advised the selectmen they had already set the groundwork for that, and for consultation with a local expert.

“It was the most appalling experience to go through,†said Meg McMorrow of the hearing. “There was such disregard and disinterest. It was such an example of undue process.â€

Her husband, Brad Harding, called the behavior of council Chairman David Caruso “totally objectionable, belittling and sarcastic.â€

They urged the selectmen to help them move forward with their expert to look at the proposal from a legal viewpoint by checking regulations, environmental impacts and issues related to a tower’s proximity to homes and schools.

“Everyone wants cell coverage,†McMorrow said. “But no one wants health problems or their real estate investment decreased. Let’s try to do it in a sensible way.â€

Options unclear

First Selectman Gordon Ridgway said earlier this week the transcript of the hearing is under review by the town attorney. He expected to have a letter for the Siting Council by week’s end. It will deal with the way the hearing was conducted, as well as what town residents feel was a lack of attention to substantial issues.

Ridgway said it remains unclear if the town has the option  to demand further studies and surveys by the applicant, or to extend the process. He noted the applicant can go to court if the decision deadline is not met.

“Part of the issue is that they are talking about putting up four, five or six more towers in town. We need to look long-term and be proactive. There needs to be a joint effort that includes the Planning and Zoning Commission looking at where towers could go.â€

State officials chide council

The board passed along public concerns to state officials. An Aug. 5 letter sent jointly from state Sen. Andrew Roraback (R-30) and state Rep. Roberta Willis (D-64) to Caruso noted they had received complaints from several sources.

“It is our strong belief that citizens participating in the public hearing process, particularly those for whom this may be an unfamiliar experience, are entitled to be treated with dignity and respect at all times,†the letter said.

“Confidence in the important and difficult decision-making entrusted to the Siting Council can only be achieved when Connecticut citizens are assured their concerns are fully heard and considered.â€

The Cornwall Planning and Zoning Commission submitted a formal objection based on a violation of zoning regulations. A switchback driveway up the steep hillside to the tower site exceeds at times the 15-percent maximum grade.

Although half of the remaining public comment period had already elapsed by the time of the Aug.2 selectmen’s meeting, a full transcript of the hearing had yet to be delivered to Town Hall even though it had been promised by the council —and even though it was received at the Siting Council office on July 29.

The 180-day deadline for a decision on this application expires Nov. 2. A draft finding of facts is scheduled for Sept. 9, and a draft decision Sept. 23.

All application-related information is posted at ct.gov/csc. Click on pending applications and docket no. 402.

Confusion over road

A twist on the whole issue came when the board received a letter from the law firm of Herbst & Herbst, representing Matt Collins. The letter requested a review of the status of Old Poughkeepsie Road, which may be the existing dirt road that Verizon would use for a portion of its access road.

Collins’ adjoining property on Popple Swamp Road was originally considered as the tower site, and remains an option. The Bell Road Extension site was deemed to be the better of the two.

Collins wants to be able to access the rear of his adjoining property over the tower road. The issue could become problematic, Ridgway said, given that the road situation and even property boundaries need to be clarified in that area.

Old Poughkeepsie Road was abandoned by the town at a public meeting in 1866. Ridgway said it connected Pierce Lane to Popple Swamp Road, and may have included a portion of the current Poughkeepsie Road.

But it is unclear if it is the same place as the access road will be. No survey has been done in conjunction with the tower application. Ridgway mentioned this at the July 20 hearing.

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