New tower gets the OK

Sprint to build east of Rt. 130

By: Lacey Korevec
   An application to build a cellular tower on property along Route 130 was approved by the Zoning Board of Adjustment on Oct. 4.
   Committewoman Pari Stave said Monday that the board voted 5 – 2 to approve the application to build the 160-foot tower on land owned by Art Hasselbach.
   Mr. Hasselbach, a township resident and former committeeman, began negotiations with Sprint more than a year ago to see if his property, which lies east of Route 130 near his company, CMI Plastics, would be a suitable location for the tower and increase cellular service on the western part of town.
   Approval of the application to build a tower on Route 130 will delay the township having to consider other sites for cell towers for the near future, Ms. Stave said. The Township Committee had been considering a proposal by Sprint and Cingular Wireless to build a tower behind the firehouse on South Main Street in the village area. The proposals were rejected because Township Attorney Trishka Waterbury said they were nonconforming bids.
   The site for the new tower could hold up to four cellular carriers, Ms. Stave said.
   The township does not know yet whether Public Works radio signals can be moved to the site. If they can be, the township can consider removing the current lattice tower located at the firehouse in the Historic District, which carries signals for the fire and police departments and the rescue squad, Ms. Stave said.