TRR photo by Tracy Denman Hortonville residents study a map of the area of the proposed cell tower’s location. (Click for larger image)

SBA to ‘tower’ over Hortonville

By TRACY DENMAN

HORTONVILLE — SBA Delaware Wireless Communications Facility has recently issued a proposal to build a new cell tower and communications facility in the Hortonville area. The proposed tower will be located at Froelich Road.

The issue in question was discussed during the Hortonville Planning Board meeting on May 23. SBA representatives Mark Sweeney and Eric Murray started off the discussion by presenting maps displaying the topography surrounding the area of the cell tower’s location.

They demonstrated that 38.2 percent of the visibility of the tower is blocked by the surrounding topography (hills, mountains and narrow valleys). Another 49.3 percent is screened by vegetation, although factors such as the effects of the seasons on the trees have to also be taken into consideration. The trees of the evergreen forest surrounding the tower are more than 50 feet in height; however, the tower will be 170 feet high. Partially clear views of the facility are at 12.5 percent.

Through the course of the meeting, the two spokesmen presented photographs of various views from the town of the ridge showing the cell tower. From virtually every view presented, the tower is recognizable. The mono-pine design of the tower is meant to look like a tree, consisting of a pole painted brown and green “branches” camouflaging 50 feet of the tower.

Residents wanted the entire pole covered with the branches, but at $1,200 per branch SBA said it was not economically feasible. After noting the people’s dissatisfaction of the pictures, Murray said, “The purpose is not to make it invisible. This particular design is so it doesn’t stand out as a cell tower.”

While originally proposed at 195 feet, SBA agreed to cut it down to 170 feet, with a width of six feet. The project also consists of a two-and-one-half-mile view shed for the facility.

The majority of the 14 Hortonville residents attending were concerned about the condition of Froelich Road. There were also a few concerns voiced regarding the amount of air traffic over the mountain in relation to the tower, and inquiries of whether or not SBA had looked at alternative sights. One of the residents present, however, voiced separate concerns.

Joe DeFalco of Top of the World Estates had several complaints against the SBA cell tower proposal. DeFalco said he was contacted in June 2000 by Crown Castle Atlantic about placing a wireless communications facility on his property. Later in the year, he learned of SBA’s interest in constructing a cell tower. He contacted the company and gave its representatives maps of his property and the area, as well as information from Crown Castle. SBA ignored his property, instead finding a different location nearby on Froelich Road with the aid of his maps, DeFalco said.

SBA has denied wrongdoing, but DeFalco claims that his property is still the better location and the Crown Castle tower would be more acceptable for the town and his property values. Asked to respond about local concerns, SBA declined to comment.

The proposed site at Froelich Road is owned by Joseph and June Disert. Both have consented to the construction of the cell tower and do not live on the property or in the area. The road is currently said to be in poor condition with trenches, loose rocks and boulders. Many are worried that SBA construction there could cause landslides, or worse.

In its defense, SBA promised it would maintain the road during construction and, if any new damage occurs during construction, to fix that as well.

This was the second meeting for the proposal and no decision was made as to when and if construction for the cell tower project will take place. DeFalco has also requested a 30-day postponement of SBA’s applications until Crown Castle Atlantic has the proposal papers for his cell tower location in order.