Cell Tower Fight Resumes

Branford has hired a consultant to help steer through the quagmire of cell tower proposals that have hit the shoreline. On the state level, legislation aimed at placing restrictions on cell tower siting has hit a roadblock. In the meantime, a tower-building company is looking at a new option for a cell tower site in Short Beach.

First Selectman Anthony ​“Unk” DaRos said the town’s recently formed Cell Tower Advisory Panel has selected David Maxson, a Boston-based cellular consultant, to provide expertise. DaRos has also been working to form a coalition of shoreline towns to address the issue of cell tower proliferation on a regional basis.

Prior to his being hired, Maxson presented an information session in Branford to outline new technology in the cellular field. He also discussed his work with other towns that are trying to find less intrusive ways to increase cellular coverage.

Maxson is a consultant with Broadcast Signal Lab, a company that he co-founded in 1982, which offers a range of broadcast engineering services to communities and industries.

“He’s already on board,” DaRos said on Monday.

Terry Elton, a member of the Cell Tower Advisory Panel and director of Branford’s Economic Development Department, said additional town meetings will be held this summer to discuss cellular issues.

There has been a snag in legislation introduced by State Rep. Lonnie Reed (D‑Branford) along with Rep. Pat Widlitz, (D‑Branford and Guilford), and Rep. Deb Heinrich, (D- Guilford and Madison). The three have been leading the fight for legislation to update the way the Connecticut Siting Council (CSC) grants approval for cell tower placement. The proposed bill, which was strengthened by provisions from Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, won unanimous passage in the House of Representatives.

But in the final days of the legislative session, the bill was significantly changed in the Senate.

Reed said after the successful vote in the House, she was immediately contacted by TelCom lobbyists who said the bill ​“would have a better chance” in the Senate if she pulled two key sections — the ability to impose penalties on companies that submit intentionally misleading applications, (Blumenthal’s provision) and a requirement that cell towers be at least 750 feet from school and daycare centers unless no other site could be found.

Reed refused to make the changes, which she said would dilute the legislation.

On the last day of the legislative calendar, the Senate removed those two provisions from the bill and rolled the bill into another one dealing with power plant safety. Reed said the hybrid bill was put on the consent calendar in the Senate and passed, but had to come back to the House for re-approval in the last seconds of the session. ​“An impossible task,” Reed noted. Had the bill overcome the last-minute Senate hurdle, Reed said it was her understanding that Governor M. Jodi Rell intended to sign it into law. 

Reed said she fears the issue may not be taken up when legislators return in special session at the end of June, which would mean the bill would be in limbo until the regular session next year.

“But I am a ​‘glass is half-full’ strategist and we fully intend to keep on fighting this battle until we win it,” Reed said. ​“The good news is that we created a bipartisan coalition that is beyond furious at what happened, and we are already working to get the job done when the legislature reconvenes next January.”

Reed said it is important to ​“expand connectivity without destroying neighborhoods and scenic treasures. It’s very doable with miniaturized technology and more rational regional planning.”

During the past year, Branford has been hit with at least eight proposals for new cell towers. The most recent one is a 90-foot tower proposed for 171 Short Beach Rd. This is the third option from Florida Tower Partners, who previously proposed towers in two other sites in Short Beach. 

Residents in those neighborhoods asked the company to find less intrusive locations. The company is seeking comments from anyone who may have concerns about historic property near the proposed site at 171 Short Beach Road. According to the town’s website, the property is owned by Short Beach Road Realty LLC.

Most of the towers proposed for the shoreline would boost connectivity along the Amtrak corridor. The Stony Creek Association has hired an attorney to help fight a tower in their village. 

The only tower in Branford that has progressed through the CSC is one proposed for Pine Orchard Road, The CSC has given preliminary approval for the 125-foot tower, but has not yet approved T‑Mobile’s development and management plans. Neighbors in the Pine Orchard neighborhood opposed the tower at public hearings conducted by the CSC in December.

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