Town to Further Investigate Idea of Cell Tower in Collinsville

With no final decision, the Board of Selectmen decided Wednesday to further investigate the idea of cell tower in Collinsville night but leaned toward the town defining the terms rather than accepting a current proposal. The town will also conduct additional balloon tests.

On March 14 the town tested a balloon at 150 feet, the height Global Tower Partners has specified in a cell tower proposal for the Collinsville fire station.

Selectmen generally agreed with several residents who spoke that the visual impact of a traditional cell tower at that height would be significant.

Selectman Tom Sevigny said with the town’s efforts to enhance the river and surrounding areas, he would oppose a “steel girder” tower at 150 feet.

But he and others said the options such one disguised as a flagpole at a lower height may be worth exploring.

Chief Administrative Officer Robert Skinner told selectmen that the town could propose a tower under its terms and put out a "Request for Proposal," or RFP, that asks companies to submit potential contracts for the facility. And although the company has specified 150 feet, the final products are often lower, Skinner said.

“If you are of the mindset to have a tower in Collinsville, I’d prefer that it’s designed to our standards rather than someone else’s,” Skinner said.   

Several residents spoke on the issue at the beginning of the board's meeting. David Sinish asked the board to consider several issues as it went forward, such as local impact, involving the local design review board and considering the potential health impacts to firemen and girls that play softball on a neighboring lot.

Collinsville resident Peter Clarke said it could have parking, visual and safety impacts and said that while the Connecticut siting council could take away local jurisdiction, selectmen have the “added responsibility” to uphold zoning commission concepts. (The Siting Council is the state agency in charge of approving tower sites.)

Although a final plan would likely be more beneficial to the town, Skinner said the initial proposal offered the town a one-time sum of $10,000 and 30 percent of the “gross revenues.” Based on current estimates of carriers paying $1,250 a month, a tower with four carriers would net the town in approximately $18,000 a year, Skinner added.

First Selectman Richard Barlow also said if the town does nothing a tower will likely end up on private property with “no controls.”

In the end selectmen asked Skinner to begin drafting a potential RFP and arrange a balloon test in the range of 100 to 120 feet. Skinner will also investigate whether there are any limits to a flagpole design and see if the community center is an option. 

Some residents have also said the town should first look at an AT&T tower on town hall before investigating another tower.

Skinner said the town is negotiating a new lease agreement with AT&T for town hall that would include provisions for additional carriers as well as the town to receive a portion of the revenue, he added.

Numerous carriers have expressed interest in the area, Skinner said. An additional tower would also give the town some options for its own equipment, which is generally part of the lease agreement, officials said at Wednesday’s meeting.