Cell tower in Tusten?

Still no decision

By TOM KANE

NARROWSBURG — No one is publicly opposed to construction of a cell tower in the Town of Tusten, yet it still hasn’t been approved.

Despite holding four meetings on the subject, town officials want to know more about the proposed project.

“We still have questions,” said Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman Tony Ritter.

Highest on the list of questions is: Did the would-be builder, the SBA Company, try hard enough to find an adequate site for the tower in an R-1 zone, where towers are allowed?

“The company said it talked to 10 property owners in R-1. Who were they and, on second thought, is it enough to contact only 10? Shouldn’t more be contacted?” Ritter asked.

“We used due diligence in searching for a proper site and came to the conclusion that no site in R-1 was adequate,” said SBA attorney Mark Sweeney.

“I would question whether contacting only 10 property owners was exercising due diligence,” said Tusten attorney Jeffrey Clemente.

“Who did you contact?” Ritter asked. “We have at least one person here tonight who has a good site in R-1, very close to the proposed site and who wasn’t contacted. I’ve talked to other people in R-1 who would like to have the tower and they weren’t contacted,” he said.

Sweeney and SBA property specialist Frank Paladino insisted that they had no alternative to the proposed R-2 site, which belongs to Steve and Angela Daley of Lava, NY.

“You’re talking in generalities,” Clemente said. “We want specifics. The board is wrestling with the idea that there is no alternative. Is that actually true?”

“Provide verification to us of the 10 people you contacted and send it to us before the next meeting,” Ritter said.

Sweeney and Paladino said that they would send the verification prior to the next meeting so board members could reach decision at the next meeting.

“We’re not against cell towers, but we want to do it right,” said board member Rita Macrini.