A third cell tower puts residents on both sides of the debate
By Benning W. De La Mater, Berkshire Eagle Staff
Article Last Updated: 12/03/2007 08:44:01 AM EST

Monday, December 03
BECKET — Wind gusts of up to 40 mph broke the ropes of two balloons that were scheduled to be flown Saturday morning to simulate the height of a proposed cell phone tower in town.
The extreme weather ended the exhibition before it even began, but a town official said that a balloon launch will be rescheduled in the coming weeks because it's required under a zoning bylaw.

Even with the inclement weather, many people came out to express concern for another cell tower in the area.

"I'm concerned about the health hazards," said Alison Atlas, a Becket resident. "There is radiation associated with cell phone towers. And people aren't supposed to be talking on the phone while they're driving anyway."

Atlas was not alone in her thoughts concerning a Verizon Wireless cell phone tower planned for the area of Wade Inn Road and Main Street (Route 8). This would be the third tower to be erected in the small town in the past 10 years.

The proposed tower would be built on a 100-by-100-foot piece of land owned by Leona Perlman, who is leasing it to Verizon. The tower will rise 140 feet in the air, about the height of an 11-story building, roughly a half

mile inside the confines of a 223-acre plot of forest.
Ellen W. Freyman, the attorney representing Pittsfield Cellular Telephone Co., the company working for Verizon, said that the new tower will fill in two areas where there is no cell phone coverage — a four-mile stretch on Route 8 near Becket center and a 2.6-mile area close to Bonny Rigg Corners near the intersection of Routes 8 and 20.

After the aborted balloon flight, Freyman remained at the site Saturday to answer questions from the public. She said that, based on previous balloon flight trials, very little of the tower will be visible.

Carl and Barbara Sastram are building a home just across the road from the proposed site. The Shelton, Conn., couple drove up to see the balloon.

"We're not opposed to cell towers," Carl Sastram said. "We're just concerned. The reason we love it here is the bucolic surrounding. The last thing we want is a cell tower in our backyard."

David and Mary Graves, abutters to the Perlman property, run Berkshire Berries and tend several beehives close to the proposed site. They are opposed to the tower for several reasons, but most importantly, they have read studies that say cell towers affect the routines of honeybees.

"Low-intensity radiation kills bees," David Graves said. "It also interferes with their ability to navigate. Why do we need another cell tower when we have one just a few miles down the road?"

The Graveses also said that restrictions prohibit cell towers from being placed near schools and hospitals, "so why are they putting one up here with four summer camps within a mile of each other?" Mary Graves asked

Freyman said Verizon towers comply with all the radiation standards set by the federal government.

"We will submit evidence that the frequency emissions will be well below the threshold," she said.

Atlas asked Freyman if the tower could be equipped with a device to provide the town with wireless Internet, given that there is no Internet available in town.

Freyman said she would look into that and provide an answer at the Wednesday, Dec. 12, public hearing at 7 p.m. at Town Hall. Photographs and other findings will be presented the, and residents may voice their concerns and ask questions.

Robert Ronzio, Planning Board assistant chairman, said that the board will not make a decision about the tower until a balloon flight has been held. He said a cell phone tower was scuttled in 2003 after citizens voiced concerns about its proximity to the town's historic district.

"There are concerned residents, and there are some who want it," he said.