Township Council Members Reduce Maximum Height of Cell Tower But Residents are Still Upset

After listening to public outcry over the cell tower next to the police station in the , the majority of Washington Township council members voted to reduce the allowed height from 140 to 125 feet. But residents said they don't want a tower at the location at all.

Councilmen maintained throughout the discussion that the tower that they went out to bid for was 120 feet and the extra 20 feet included in the ordinance was a buffer. But residents and some members of the governing body didn't believe that height was necessary.

Residents who live near the municipal complex came to the council meeting Monday night to tell council members they don't want a cell tower in their neighborhood, saying they will take legal action if the project moves forward.

Several pointed out that the value of their homes would decrease once a cell tower was constructed nearby. They said they would also file tax appeals, costing the township revenue.

Charles Matasker, who said he lives right behind the municipal complex, said the location is too crowded as it is. "I think that the area here is overused," he said. "I think that this is a poor choice to put the cell tower."

Manhattan Avenue resident Cynthia Cannon said the cell tower would "change the climate of our neighborhood." She asked the council to reconsider the tower, especially since a cell tower is being constructed on the Garden State Parkway.

Several residents, and Councilman Joseph D'Urso, said they believed there were other parts of the township that would be more suitable for a cell tower. D'Urso declined to name his recommendation during the public portion of the meeting, but said he would discuss it in private with members of the council and hoped they would seriously consider it.

"It's a god awful spot … because it's going to stand out like a sore thumb," D'Urso said of the current location. "I still feel that it does not belong right there. Period."

D'Urso said he compromised on the height of the tower, which started out at 90 feet and has grown to 120. He wanted it to remain at 90 feet but agreed to a height of 100 feet. He abstained from the vote when the council decided on a 120-foot tower.

Residents also asked councilmen about their plans for property they wish to purchase that is adjacent to the municipal complex. They are worried the property will be used to house the cell tower or the accompanying equipment.

Council President Fred Goetz said the site plan for the tower encompasses only municipal property and was drawn up before the possibility of the property acquisition was available. He said the house was not being purchased for the cell tower.

After a lengthy discussion, Goetz made a motion to reduce the maximum tower height to 125 feet and re-advertise the ordinance for another public hearing at the next regular council meeting, scheduled for March 14.

The measure passed 3-2, with D'Urso and Councilman Glenn Beckmeyer dissenting.

The modification didn't appease residents, however. Many said the height wasn't the issue and they oppose any cell tower in their neighborhood.