Sprint wants to place tower on Woods Road Fire Co. lot
By:Jason Lockhart
Residents living near a 155-foot tall radio tower planned to be built on the grounds of the Woods Road Fire Company packed the March 21 board of adjustment meeting at the municipal complex in hopes of learning more about the plans.
But after the three-hour presentation by representatives of telephone company Sprint, many of the approximately 90 residents attending seemed as confused about the plans as they were at the beginning.
The township’s board of fire commissions agreed to lease the site for the tower to the company. Officials noted the tower will include antennas they say will improve emergency communication in the township, but residents at the meeting said their property values are likely to be affected by the unsightly tower.
"It’s basically that the residents are subsidizing the profits of the carriers’ corporation so that they can make money off the residents to a certain extent," Vliet Drive Larry Dowling said.
Sprint needs a variance because the tower is proposed in an area near an elementary school, a sports complex and hundreds of residences all in violation of township ordinances.
"There’s suppose to be 1,000 feet of distance and it’s 250 feet," Tom Wagner, also a resident of Vliet Drive, said. "There’s a golf course, an elementary school, tennis courts, baseball fields, and other recreational areas that are close by."
But Ken Wetzel, former chairman of the board of fire commissioners, said he believes the communication tower will be beneficial for the community.
"We’re trying to improve radio communication for the voluntary firefighters," he said. "This is a safety issue."
Some residents also questioned the potential health impacts from a communication tower built near recreational areas. "We need to be educated on the effects of Electric Magnetic Radiation," Barb Evans said.
Sprint representatives showed a map of the town and surrounding areas, with four gaps in coverage in Hillsborough the company is looking to cover one near Franklin Township, one alongside River Road, one by Neshanic Station, and one by Montgomery. Sprint said they are looking to fill the gaps for customers.
The board will continue discussions of the application on May 16th.

