Zoners approve new sites for cell towers in Monroe

By sandi carpello
Staff Writer

Zoners approve new sites
for cell towers in Monroe
By sandi carpello
Staff Writer


PHOTOS BY FARRAH MAFFAI Kate Mallard, above, sings with the East Brunswick Community Chorus during the sixth annual East Brunswick Holiday Celebration Monday night. Michelle Noonan, 2, (inset), plays with her glow stick during the holiday celebration at the East Brunswick municipal complex Monday night.PHOTOS BY FARRAH MAFFAI Kate Mallard, above, sings with the East Brunswick Community Chorus during the sixth annual East Brunswick Holiday Celebration Monday night. Michelle Noonan, 2, (inset), plays with her glow stick during the holiday celebration at the East Brunswick municipal complex Monday night.

MONROE — After backing down from township residents who were against two previously proposed cell tower locations, AT&T Wireless was granted permission last week to use two alternate sites instead.

At its Nov. 27 meeting, the Zoning Board of Adjustment gave AT&T use variances for the placement of six antennas each on monopoles atop a warehouse in Industrial Park and in a wooded area off Spotswood-Englishtown Road.

Unlike the two sites originally sought, neither of the approved locations is in close proximity to a residential neighborhood, said Zoning Board Secretary Patti Williams.

Fearing it would pose a health risk to the community, be aesthetically displeasing and decrease the values of their homes, an estimated 200 residents, primarily from the Heritage Chase and Highlands residential developments, were vocal in their opposition to AT&T’s previous applications.


The original plans called for the placement of six antennas on water towers near Buckelew Avenue and Half Acre Road, adjacent to residential neighborhoods.

On the new site, AT&T will construct a monopole in Industrial Park and a temporary monopole in a wooded area on Spotswood-Englishtown Road, Williams said.

In the near future, the township will replace the monopole on Spotswood-Englishtown Road site with a water tower. They will then construct those antennas on top of the water tower.

"When all people come together for the common good of the town, great things will be accomplished," said Heritage Chase resident Andrea Ryan, who spearheaded the residents protest.

Although the township’s Municipal Utility Authority (MUA) is unwilling to breach its contracts with cellular carriers AT&T Wireless and Omnipoint, Mike Rogers of the utility authority told residents that the MUA would not incur any new contracts with cell companies due to the concerns of the residents.

The MUA presently rents space to AT&T and Omnipoint on its water tower on Abeel Road.

Ryan said she is hopeful the township will deliver on its promises.

"Since they have benefited from the rents of these companies for some time now, we understand that it is a fragile process. But, in the end, we feel that the right things will be done to protect our water tower and the Half Acre Road water tower from further intrusion," Ryan said.

The township earns approximately $2,500 per antenna per month, generating approximately $120,000 a year for each tower holding six antennas.

In response to the recent controversy, the Planning Board has recommended that a stricter ordinance be drawn up concerning the placement of cellular antennas, said Councilman John Riggs, who sits on the Planning Board.

"You don’t necessarily know where the holes (in the ordinance) are until you put your foot in it," he said.

The ordinance, which will be drafted by a planning expert who has no loyalty to the telecommunications industry, "will bring the township’s standards in line with the state standards," and will make the rules and regulations more specific, he said.

The ordinance should be passed in March or April, Riggs said.