Plan must first receive approval from planning or zoning board
By:David Koch
MANSFIELD Nextel wants to build a new communications tower on the Civic Center property which, if approved, would be the ninth communications tower erected within the township.
The proposal by the wireless communications company was made earlier this month in a letter to the Township Committee. The plan must first receive approval from the Planning Board or zoning board before it can be voted on by the Township Committee.
The proposal calls for building a 100-foot-by-100-foot base for the tower with a storage shed at Mansfield’s Civic Center on Route 206 and New York Avenue.
"If they’re talking 100-foot-by-100-foot they’re more than likely talking 50 feet tall," said Township Engineer Len Faiola.
There are currently eight towers in Mansfield, including three by the 295 interchange and the township’s water tower, said Barbara Crammer, the township’s land use coordinator.
They are all communications towers used by companies such as Omnipoint, AT&T, and Sprint, said Ms. Crammer.
In a letter from McInerney Acquisitions Inc. dated Sept. 12, Nextel offered the township $1,200 a month with a 3 percent annual increase to lease land for a tower on a mutually agreed upon location, said Township Clerk/Administrator Donna Snyder.
Currently, the Civic Center property is used as a baseball and soccer field. It also has the old Civic Club building which has been deemed unsuitable for renovation.
It is now used as a storage shed for recreational equipment.
"There have been proposals off and on, on how that sight might be developed," said Committeeman Kelly Shea. Mr. Shea also said that there are no concrete plans right now for the Civic Center Property.
"It’s too early," said Ms. Snyder. "It was given to us (the proposal) and it’s under discussion with no decision at this point."
Officials said that before the proposal could be approved by the Township Committee, it has to pass either the Planning Board or zoning board.
Ms. Snyder said that issues to be considered are safety issues such as the nearby presence of children and the amount of money the township would receive.

