Damascus seeking cell tower site

By TOM KANE

DAMASCUS, PA — The Damascus Township Supervisors decided at their December 16 meeting to search for a location to build a cell tower outside the Delaware River district.

The township zoning ordinance prohibits the building of such a tower within the river district.

A cell tower company approached the township early last year to build a tower on property owned by the township but backed away when residents objected because the location was within the river district.

“In the Township of Damascus, the river district coincides for the most part with the delineation of the Upper Delaware Recreational and Scenic River corridor,” said Upper Delaware Council Resource Specialist Dave Soete.

Soete said the line should be evident on the township’s zoning map.

“We’re going to see if there is a part of our property that is not within the river district,” said Larry Newport, chairman of the board of supervisors.

Supervisor Bill Gager reminded the supervisors and residents at the meeting that the cell tower built in Lookout still had no subscribers.

Gager also recalled the incident along River Road two years ago when a school bus had an accident but could not let the school know because of the absence of a cell phone service.

“Cell phone service is needed in this area,” Gager said.

In other board matters, the board approved its budget for 2003. There will be no tax increase and the tax rate remains at 14 mills. The total expenditures will be $631,400 while the amount to be raised by taxes is $359,638.