Cell Tower Frustrations Raised Again

Washington Township residents came to the council meeting Monday and asked for a status update on the proposed cell tower. Councilmen decided not to introduce an ordinance permitting a 125-foot tower next to the police station on the municipal complex site at the end of March because they wanted to discuss an alternate location.

"I'm getting pretty tired of this whole situation," said township resident David Snyde. "When are we going to find out when we're going to have cell phone service?"

Township Attorney Kenneth Poller said he is still waiting to hear back from a representative of Verizon after the township engineer sent over information. He said he was doing the best he could and would let the governing body and residents know when there was an update.

During the Monday night meeting, Poller also confirmed that the alternative site for the cell tower is at the corner of Wilson and Hudson avenues.

Liz Leahy, who lives on Wilson Avenue, said she opposed having a cell tower at that location. She suggested putting it by Sherry Field which is more open and has fewer houses around. She said she knocked on her neighbors' doors and found they were also opposed to a tower at Wilson and Hudson avenues, adding she was sure a petition could be produced for the council.

Reagan Way resident Don Derosa, who said the tower would be in his backyard if put at Wilson and Hudson avenues, suggested it go closer to the Garden State Parkway.

Council President Fred Goetz told residents that there have been no changes to the tower location. "Right now it's still scheduled to be put in place on municipal property at town hall," he said.

Joanne Anastasi, who has opposed the tower location next to the municipal complex, asked Monday if a new study has been done about service since the cell tower on the Garden State Parkway was installed.

Councilman Joseph D'Urso said only T-Mobile is going on that tower, according to the Garden State Parkway Authority. He said because the township is in a valley, a tower would still be necessary.

He added that wherever the cell tower is ultimately placed, some residents will be unhappy. "Nobody wants it," he said.

But D'Urso said members of the governing body have to make sure they "do it right" the first time. He said one of the reasons the council has not approved the cell tower ordinance is because they are indecisive about how high to allow the tower. He said he worried that if the tower is approved at 125 feet, another carrier could demand a separate tower if the coverage or capacity isn't adequate.

The process to approve the cell tower has been going on for months. Councilmen Feb. 7. But after hearing outcry during the public hearing Feb. 28, the . At the following meeting, March 14, the to look into alternative locations. No further action has been taken.

The next township council meeting is scheduled for May 23.