Special Joint Meeting of the Selectboard and Planning Commission Minutes 5/2/23
Manchester Community Library
Selectboard Attendees: Greg Cutler (Vice Chair), Laurie Kunz, Jan Nolan,
Heidi Chamberlain. Recused: Ivan Beattie
Planning Commission: Phil Peterson (Chair), Leon Wood, Megan Amundon, Chris Glabach
Town Employees: Scott Murphy (Town Manager)
Public Attendees: Andrew McKeever, William Drunsic, Greg Sukinek, Ed Surjan, Will Dodge (DRM), Larry Fogar, Dom Fenge, Mary Durland, Nancy Boardman, Ginny Bauer, Kathy Dillman, Anne Pierce, Carol Schultz, Syliva Jolivette, Brian Maggiotto, Harold A., Scott Buckner, Day Acheson, D. Boothby, Helen Deeley, A. Delano, Carol Ann Hawkins, John Clark, Aden Berry, Markus Berry, Andris Berry, Rahel Berry, Seth Berger, Jenn Perry, Ivan Beattie, Robert Loh, Tim Lalor, David Golibersch, Martine Victor, John Burnham (MBA), Steven Berry, Carol Berry, Mike Nawroth, Andrew MacArthur, Novella Adoue, Jennifer French, Sally Shaw
Zoom Attendees: At least 22 individuals.
Meeting called to order by Cutler at 6:09 PM
Cutler Opened the Selectboard Meeting. Peterson opened the Planning Commission Meeting
Cutler talked about tonight’s meeting and the joint meeting process. He explained the format of the meeting.
Murphy introduced Hunter Thompson (via Zoom), Vt Dept of Public Service, Director of Telecommunications & Connectivity. Thompson explained how an application for a cell tower in Vermont gets approval, the application process, and the State law governing cell towers (Act 248A). The applicant needs to obtain a Certificate of Public Good from the Vt Public Utilities Commission (PUC).
Atty Dodge introduced himself and his team (via Zoom) as representatives from Downs, Rachlin, Martin (DRM) law firm in Burlington who represents New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC dba AT & T. They propose to construct and install a new communications support structure and wireless communications facility on property located at 80 Side Road in Manchester Center on land owned by Donald and Patricia Dorr.
Dodge discussed the application and gave a presentation. He discussed the proposed site, listed its advantages, discussed zoning, and confirmed that the Vt Agency of Natural Resources has validated the choice of location. He also discussed areas in Town where the cell tower would not work and that the height of the tower (140’) was a limit set in Act 248A. He closed his presentation by affirming that the proposed tower complies with federal health guidelines.
Questions
Selectboard: Nolan asked about other possible heights, perhaps lower than 140”, Chamberlain asked about the landowner’s compensation and effects on the nearby tenants. Kunz commented about health concerns near a cell tower and the possibility of a reduction in height. Cutler discussed the local Verizon coverage and the possible use of repeaters instead of a tower. Dodge said repeaters can get overloaded and they couldn’t use telephone poles without greatly increasing the poles height.
Planning Commission: Wood asked if the tower would be owned by AT &T or rented. Dodge said rented from a company that buys cell towers from AT&T. Amundun questioned the adjacent zoning and asked about alternative locations. Peterson asked about the coverage area from a first-responders and safety aspect and suggested AT & T look at other locations. Usmani (engineer via Zoom representing the application) said that a larger tower can provide more capacity but the possible locations that fit their needs are limited and precise.
Public questions and comments: Various members of the public voiced their concerns about the application, the location, health concerns, fish, wetlands, and wildlife, ordinance violations, neighborhood impact, not being able to trust the federal health guidelines, cell coverage is already good, cell tower owners maximizing profits, the balloon test wasn’t done properly, and other comments.
Dodge said that only one tower could be placed on the site as Vermont law prohibits more than one in almost all cases.
Cutler closes the questions/comments section.
Cutler explained the next possible steps: send a letter in support of the application, in support with conditions, or opposed to the project. Peterson said the Planning Commission is opposed to the application and would make a negative recommendation and would encourage AT &T to find an alternative location that wouldn’t have so many negative effects.
Cutler said the consensus of the Selectboard is also to make a negative recommendation and recommended they find a better location in Manchester.
Cutler thanked everyone for their input. Dodge said that he would bring the suggested alternative sites back to AT & T for review. He said that they (AT &T) could possibly find an alternative site or could move forward with the application as is.
Nolan motioned to close the Selectboard meeting, seconded by Kunz, all in favor. Peterson motioned to close the Planning Commission meeting, seconded by Amundon, all in favor.
The meeting closed at 8:10 PM.
Adjournment
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Approved by the Board Date