Pole, Pole and Pole - Planning Board Meeting October 16

With a request by Downey Energy to postpone a discussion of their project to November 6, the October 16 Planning Board meeting focused on Verizon's request for additional poles in the town to supplement their wireless services.

The first is a monopole off of Diddell Road. The Town hired an RF engineer to review the proposed plans - for both height and siting -- and it was unclear if the RF engineer had some of the latest material regarding the siting(he was not at the meeting... and given that the town is paying for staff to attend these meetings, without critical information that the engineer could be providing/answering during the meeting... it is dragging out the process, increasing the costs and fatiguing the public by not having him at the meetings). During the public comment period neighbors have concerns about how their quality of life, value of properties will be affected by having a large (120 +/-) pole - with accompanying air traffic safety lights installed near their properties. Also addressed during the public hearing was a discussion about a large pit where it appears that Verizon workers have been dumping materials. While it is not germane to the process of deciding about the pole, it is a concern for the residents. Apparently the Town's building department has been in touch with the DEC - and this is some confusion about who can go on the property to inspect, whether some dumping/mining is allowed as it is in an agricultural district etc. Adjourned to November 6.

The second is a 50 foot wooden pole with an antenna to be placed on Spook Hill Road. An alternative site proposed by neighbors was agreed upon. Neighbors also expressed concern about the speed of the traffic (a head-on collision recently occurred on the road) and that another. pole is another thing for people to hit while speeding. They were advised to contact their Town Council Member or the Town Supervisor. Adjourned to November 6.

The third pole is another 50 foot wooden pole with an antenna to be placed on the corner of Kent Road and Baldwin Drive. A correction was made to the amendment and it was approved by the board.