Vote set for June 5. Council members raise questions ranging from radiation to bird deaths.

Thursday, May 17, 2007
By KURT BRESSWEIN
The Express-Times

BETHLEHEM | With their concerns satisfied about radiation and migrating birds, city council members Wednesday backed plans for a cell-phone tower at Sell Field in Northeast Bethlehem.

The committee held off approving a tower for Monocacy Park near Lehigh Little League's field at Illick's Mill and Schoenersville roads. Council members wanted more information about how the tower would look. The city planning commission must also approve the towers' designs.

City officials said they invited cell-phone companies last year to bid on building towers the city could use as well for its new communications system. Officials selected four of nine sites deemed the best fit for the towers and chose three providers.

Verizon Wireless received committee approval for the 140-foot-tall Sell Field tower at Rodgers and Lewis streets, to the rear of the city garage. The rent to the city would be $1,800 a month for five years.

James T. Rodgers, a real estate consultant to Verizon for 13 years, sought Wednesday to satisfy concerns raised by Councilwoman Jean Belinski about tower radiation in the residential area. He said the tower is "hundreds of times" below federal limits and that microwaves and televisions have stronger electric and magnetic fields.

"There should be absolutely no worry about health or safety with this facility," he said.

Councilwoman Karen Dolan voiced concerns about migrating birds falling victim to the towers, particularly the one proposed at Monocacy Park.

She said she has seen "hundreds of dead birds at the bases of cell towers," including along the Hawk Mountain migratory route. Birds also follow the Monocacy Creek, but Dolan was satisfied the tower is planned a mile or so from the waterway.

The Monocacy Park tower is an Omnipoint Communications Inc. project and would be 120 feet tall.

Reporter Kurt Bresswein can be reached at 610-867-5000 or by e-mail at kbresswein@express-times.com.