To the editor:
I write this letter understanding it reflects what is about to become a lose-lose situation between our community and the Woods Road Firehouse. I’m saddened it has come to this point.
Over the past few weeks and realistically moving forward, our residential community in Hillsborough was confronted by and in conflict with the Woods Road Firehouse, as they seeking profit by placement of a 126-foot cell tower in our community. (I kid you not.)
While we have zoning ordinances protecting residential areas in Hillsborough against such abusive misuse, Woods Road firehouse members seek to annihilate them with this proposal. Our community attempted to speak to them and express our concerns, but their leadership has sadly made it evident they wish to avoid us, giving the membership instruction not to comment.
In reality and for the first time, the Woods Road firehouse members seem to be acting not selflessly and heroically, but rather selfishly and irresponsibly. While there are many other viable methods of fund raising, the focus of leadership in that firehouse and many (but not all) inside the department, seems to be centered upon the self-interest of accepting the monthly payoff to renovate their building, at the expense of their relationship within our community. Our taxes pay for equipment needed, with budgets that we voted to approve.
Factually, should the laundry list of requested residential zoning variances pass, cell towers will be viable in all other neighborhoods of Hillsborough, as any denial afterward would present prejudice, for which wireless carriers will then be able to litigate and win placement.
It’s a cell tower battle that communities across America are fighting today.
We have heard arguments “. . . if you want cell service, you can’t argue towers.” Yes, you can. They can be placed in (existing) non-residential areas and the provider can establish alternate (more expensive) means of addressing maximum coverage, other than the soon-to-be-outdated (per testimony) use of towers.
The leadership of Woods Road firehouse is now at a watershed moment. While I’m not personally brave enough to be a member, I can respectfully suggest two viable options.
The first is to reflect upon the community impact of accepting cash in exchange for placement of the 126-foot cell tower in a residential neighborhood 120 feet from neighboring property lines (which they have been funded/supported to protect) and, upon sincere reflection, pull the proposal, as they have every right to do.
The second is proceed and essentially sell the respected reputation that the Woods Road Fire Department has rightfully earned to date in our community. An image that will remain tarnished under the shadow of the 126-foot cell tower they inflicted upon our community. We want to support them as always. When we asked them if they would change their decision, we were told they were more concerned that their “brotherhood“ leaked information about it. When asked if they intended to proceed, in spite of respectful requests to pull the proposal, we were told, “We’ll see you on June 15th” (the second hearing date).
Yes, my “brothers,” you definitely will see us all. Our collective pride in our residential community is based upon the aesthetics, health and beauty of where we live with our families. We are blessed today. Now, those who live in this community can only examine how the Woods Road firehouse interprets brotherhood — either as being members of a private (albeit brave) club seeking to continually expand and remodel their house at everyone’s expense — or as thought to be — caring members of our larger township family in which they reside and protect.
We understand the Board of Adjustment has every reason to deny this proposal, and would be called to task if they fail to do so, given alternative non-residentially zoned locations exist. The larger issue would be if the Woods Road Firehouse pushes this proposal, rather than pulling it, where the board is forced to turn them away. This community will long remember the Woods Road firehouse for its actions based on what they do now.
We cannot blame Verizon for seeking to take advantage of greed. This has far less to do with “adequate” cell phone coverage, which, as Verizon customers, we personally attest to outstanding coverage only a few homes away from ground zero of this proposal. If this cell tower becomes our reality, your neighborhood will be soon be calling attention to this same concern and asking for community support (which I do now) to protest the next seemingly self-centered organization from selling out another part of Hillsborough.
Please join us on June 15 in the Municipal Building to take a stand against this short-sighted profit-taking proposal of the Woods Road Firehouse. Help support our residential zoning by protecting it against commercial use for commercial interests, degrading the aesthetics, value and enjoyment of our exemplary Hillsborough neighborhoods.
Pat Reilly
Hillsborough
