By Nick Norlen, Staff Writer
After seeing Princeton Township Committee heed its request Monday to seek alternatives to the cell tower proposed near Cherry Valley Road and The Great Road, the residents with concerns about the plan requested further involvement in the process to explore more options.
Following concerns expressed by the residents — who have now formed a group to focus on the issue — the committee voted Monday to officially rescind its request for bids for the cell tower, which was proposed to address a “dead spot” in police communications.
Instead of moving forward with the bid process, the committee approved a contract with Cranbury telecommunications consulting firm V-COMM to conduct a study of the problem and issue recommendations on how to resolve it. The cost of the study is not to exceed $7,500.
V-COMM was first hired by the township in 2002 to study similar problems with the police communication system, according to Township Administrator Jim Pascale.
The push to explore alternatives to a new cell tower came from residents after the committee voted in February to solicit bids for the construction of a “monopole” tower between 140 and 170 feet tall on township-owned land. The tower would have been used primarily by cellular service providers.
At the time, township officials noted that the successful bidder and the project specifications would be subject to Planning Board approval, and said that putting the project out to bid wouldn’t necessarily result in its construction.
However, residents voiced concerns about the presence of the tower in their neighborhood, and asked the committee to explore different options.
During Monday’s meeting, Heather Lane resident David Gray, who announced that the residents now collectively call themselves the Northwest Princeton Region Coalition, requested a meeting with coalition members, the consultant and township and police officials. He said his group hopes “to discuss the communications situation at the start of the study process and again when the study is nearing completion, preferably prior to the release of any public findings.”
He added, “Our goal is not to tell anyone how to solve this problem, but rather to have an opportunity to raise some questions that the consultant can address during the course of their work and to help us understand the range of options available and help educate the community as we go forward. I want to make clear that we are very interested in seeing the emergency services in town get the communications infrastructure they need to protect us and to provide for their own safety.”
Mr. Pascale said Wednesday that such a meeting is possible, but noted that it is up to the Township Committee.
Township Committeeman Chad Goerner said Tuesday that he hopes to see that meeting happen.
”There are other areas of town and residents that are interested in this topic, so I think it would be important to include them as well,” he said. “I do think we should have involvement in the process from the beginning.”
Meanwhile, township police Capt. Bob Buchanan said V-COMM will likely begin its study some time next week.
A meeting on the issue with township officials and residents is scheduled for 7 p.m. April 10 at Township Hall.
