Answer About Cell Tower Location Should Be Coming Soon

The debate and speculation about where the cell tower will be constructed in Washington Township may soon come to an end.

Township Attorney Kenneth Poller said Monday night that officials should know exactly where the cell tower will be constructed in the near future.

Poller said he spoke to the attorney for Verizon, which was awarded a bid to build a cell tower on the municipal complex site, Monday. The company had been investigating an alternative location, near the Dog House Saloon, but because a bid was already awarded, .

Officials have also asked the cell company to investigate if the tower can be placed on the opposite side of Town Hall than the original plan. The tower was originally supposed to be constructed next to the police station, where an 80-foot radio tower currently stands. But residents had asked the other side of the building be considered to lessen the tower's impact on neighboring homes.

Poller said Verizon's attorney was "fairly confident" the tower can be constructed on the other side of the building. He said there were a few issues the company had to look into, including an environmental review of the site. After that investigation is complete, the attorney will get back in touch with Poller.

"It should be a pretty short period of time before we know for sure," Poller said.

Wilson Avenue resident Liz Leahy, who has spoken out repeatedly against putting the tower near the Dog House Saloon, asked Poller if he would have a final answer at the next meeting.

He said he couldn't commit to that since he's relying on information from the company's attorney, but said, "It is a positive feel that we're getting at this particular point."

Several residents said they were happy progress on the tower was being made.

"I'm glad to hear that the cell tower is moving along and that hopefully within my lifetime it's going to be up and working," said Crest Place resident Ray Bernoth.

The next township council meeting is scheduled for Oct. 3.