Cell Tower Proposal Will Not Go To A Special Town Meeting

BROOKFIELD – Based on information recently provided by the prospective contractor, the Board of Selectmen has opted not to proceed with holding a special town meeting to consider constructing a cell tower at 7 Long Meadow Hill Road - a proposal that prompted dozens of residents to post lawn signs in opposition to the project.

During the Monday, January 6, board meeting, Democratic First Selectman Steve Dunn and Selectman Bob Belden, an unaffiliated voter who was Dunn's running mate in the 2023 municipal election, indicated that they were concerned about the financial information regarding the proposal that was recently submitted by Homeland Towers, which has an office in Danbury.

Said Dunn, "I don't think we should move forward with this. It doesn't make any sense."

Selectman Tara Carr, a Republican who had served as first selectman from 2021 to 2023, called the decision "disingenuous' since the voters should have an opportunity to consider the proposal.
Carr has stated that she opposes the plan, adding that the Historic District Commission and the Conservation Commission also are against it.

A special town meeting was initially scheduled to be held on November 14, but the board opted on a 2-1 vote to table it earlier in November after it had not received financial information from Homeland Towers. There was no formal vote on the proposal at the January 6 meeting. Dunn said

Dunn told Patch.com that the town needed to know all of the costs associated with the project.

Carr had voted against the motion. She indicated in an e-mail statement later to Patch.com days later that, "I feel it is improper and not in good form to cancel a meeting that had already been planned and residents were already [aware] of. There was no compelling reason to cancel a meeting that residents were expecting and waiting for.”

Emergency personnel have spoken during the public comment portion of the selectmen's meetings regarding the need for better communications service in responding to residents calls in that section of Brookfield.

However, residents from the Long Meadow Hill Road area have expressed their opposition to the project during public comment, since they believe it lower property values and make the neighborhood less attractive.

For months there have been yard signs posted on lawns on or near Long Meadow Hill Road, stating, “VOTE NO”. . . TO WILLIAMS PARK CELL TOWER.”

Dunn has said the town purchased the property in 1970 for the purpose of building a school. “It was never designated as open space,” he added.

The first selectman acknowledged in an interview with Patch.com in November 2024 that there was a good chance the proposal would be defeated at a special town meeting.

Dunn added that if the proposal didn't proceed, then the Connecticut Siting Council would allow Homeland Towers to build a communications system on private property.