What is this about?
This is about a proposal by Municipal Communications, of Atlanta, Georgia, to build a 155 foot cell tower at the corner of Drift Road and Route 88. You can read the application and associated documents here.
Why are we opposed?
The proposed cell tower violates several Westport Zoning bylaws: it is outside the designated Westport Telecommunications Overlay District; it violates cell tower setback requirements from property lines and public roads; and it violates setback requirements from property boundaries for buildings and structures. The proposed tower with appurtenant structures is 155 feet tall and would tower over the surrounding 50-60 foot trees and would be visible from the scenic waters and roadways of in southern Westport. The cell tower pad and associated structures, including chain link fence topped by concertina wire, would be adjacent to and clearly visible from the scenic and popular Route 88 and Drift Road. The tower would be sandwiched between sensitive wetlands, nearby houses, and public roads, thereby presenting numerous hazards to the health, safety, and well-being of residents and visitors. The tower is designed to employ 4G technology at a time when the cell phone industry is transitioning to 5G technologies.
Other cell service providers, including T-Mobile, are already providing good service in southern Westport without resorting to unsightly tall towers. So we know it can be done.
You can read more in various newspaper articles and editorials and letters to the editor
To get an idea of what the cell tower would look like, check out some of these photos from a balloon test simulating the height and location of the tower.
What needs to be done?
The first step is to convince the Westport Zoning Board of Appeals to deny the variances necessary to build the proposed cell tower. However, this is not enough. Federal law (including the Telecommunications Act of 1996), gives cell service providers and, by extension, cell tower developers, certain rights that can make it hard for local zoning boards to turn down cell tower proposals. Adverse zoning decisions have to be clearly reasoned and supported by the evidence, and cannot be formulated in such a way as to make it impossible for each provider to provide adequate service.
What are we doing about it?
We have organized Zoom meetings to gather and coordinate community support (you can view our presentations). We have hired a telecomm consultant to analyze the proposed tower and alternative sites. We have hired attorneys to make sure the legal rationale for denying zoning variances is well-supported. We have raised funds to pay for these experts. We have contacted owners of properties that could serve as alternative and better tower sites. Our work continues.
You can read the telecomm consultant's report and the lawyers' brief.
How can you help?
You can provide financial support.
You can send a message to AT&T’s Northeast regional office telling them you are opposed to their proposal with Municipal Communications to put a cell tower at 67 Masquesatch Road, Westport, MA. https://northeastregion.att.com/contact-public-affairs/
You can attend the next meeting of the Westport Zoning Board on June 23 at 6:30pm. The meeting will be live, in person, at Westport Town Hall, 2nd floor mtg. room, 816 Main Road, Westport MA 02790.
You can sign our petition against the proposed cell tower.
If you are on social media, you can look for ways to make your opinions heard via AT&T's social media accounts.
Print a copy of our lawn sign and put it somewhere people will see it.
Subscribe to our mailing list. We will keep you updated. You can always unsubscribe.
Please spread the word!