The area around the Arnold property is part of a sprawling neighborhood composed of large, newly-constructed homes. The residents in that area are concerned about the impact of the cell tower on the neighborhood and the families that live there.
To begin with, residents expressed concern about the visibility of the tower. Dr. Daniel Koenigsberg, a spokesman for the residents, said, "The cell tower will be 80 to 100 feet over the tallest trees in the area."
Ed Sheehy, the first selectman, revealed he had visited the area surrounding the Arnold property and concurred with the residents. He said, "The tower would be aesthetically unpleasing."
Koenigsberg pointed out that the Arnold property was not that far from the historic area of Woodbridge. He said, "The Arnold property ... is almost as close as the Hoffman property."
Koenigsberg was referring to the fact that last spring Verizon had abandoned a previous plan to put a cell tower on the Hoffman property, town-owned land at the corner of Newton and Center roads. Verizon had explained its withdrawal as a response to the State Historic Preservation Office, which stated that placing a cell tower on that property might pose an "adverse effect" on adjacent historic property.
Some residents at the BOS meeting pushed for placing the cell tower on publicly owned land, since the structure would be for use by all town residents. Additionally, the cell tower will purportedly generate $40,000 in revenue, payable to the owner of the land.
Koenigsberg said, "Revenue should accrue to the town."
David Seidman, a resident from the area, said the loss of this revenue for the town would be fiscally irresponsible. He mentioned that his eighth-grade daughter had hoped to join the tennis team but was told there wasn't enough money to field a tennis team at Amity Junior High School.
Along with aesthetic concerns, Koenigsberg questioned the impact on the area of possible health effects from increased electromagnetic fields generated from the cell tower. Some residents worried that their children might be affected.
Although Koenigsberg said the research on EMF might be considered "equivocal" he maintained that the potential risk from EMF exposure would raise concerns among residents and would deter future buyers.
Koenigsberg said that local sentiments were strongly against putting the cell tower on the Arnold property. He said, "We circulated a petition that already has 138 signatures."
Koenigsberg said, "We urge the BOS to oppose putting the tower on the Arnold property."
Sheehy said the town was pursuing alternatives. Taking advantage of new legislation, the town has filed a request for an analysis of current cell coverage via the Connecticut Siting Council, the state agency responsible for cell tower placement. The CSC's report is due on Sept. 24.
According to Derek Phelps, the director of the CSC, however, the agency has not received all the needed information to complete its report. Phelps said, "We anticipate having something for the town within the next 30 days."
Sheehy said that Verizon has not filed any plans with the CSC yet to seek approval for a tower in Woodbridge. The CSC makes the ultimate determination about where a cell tower is placed commented Sheehy. "In the final analysis, the CSC makes the decision," said Sheehy.
Richard Enright, the director of Verizon Northeast, confirmed that no action has yet been taken, but added that Verizon is moving right along. Recent testing conducted by the telecommunications company confirmed that a cell tower on the Arnold property would provide the cell coverage Woodbridge needs.
Enright said that Verizon would consider viable alternatives from the town, but Verizon was no longer interested in the Hoffman property. "If the historic office says there is an adverse impact, it's sort of a non-starter."
Susan Chandler of the State Historic Preservation Office said the office could not comment on the Arnold property until Verizon filed a plan with the state. Chandler said, "We strive to be consistent. If there is a comparable visual impact, we would come to the same conclusion."
In response to the residents' concerns, Sandy Stein, a member of the BOS and a member of the previous Woodbridge cell tower citing committee, proposed a bold measure. "The BOS should oppose the placement of a cell tower on private land," said Stein.
Stein's motion passed unanimously.
Sheehy thanked the residents for their participation, saying "We heard your voice tonight."