Tusten clears space for new radio and cell tower

By CHARLIE BUTERBAUGH

NARROWSBURG, NY — A new radio and cell tower in the Upper Delaware corridor would provide a comfort level that current communications systems fail to meet, Tusten Supervisor Richard Crandall said at the June 9 town board meeting.

Crandall announced that a May resolution authorized him to enter into a contract with Goosetown Communications of Congers, NY. Though a contract has not been signed, the company will likely erect a radio tower by the Tusten highway garage off Route 97, on top of a knoll where an area has been cleared.

“The purpose is to provide communications for the town transportation department, and there will be room for a cell tower attachment if they [Goosetown] can find a vendor. It is our deep concern that they find a vendor,” Crandall said.

“Our town and police need this service. There are many places that need access,” Councilman Charlie Knapp said.

“There are many pregnant women driving our roads at night and weekenders paddling the river who would benefit from the security of cell phone access,” Crandall added.

The tower will be visible from the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway, primarily from County Road 25.

“If visibility was a problem, you’d have an issue with telephone poles. There are times when aesthetics should be compromised,” Crandall argued.

Though tower specifications are yet unavailable, the supervisor said that the design will most likely be a single tower.

“Like with pesticides or antibiotics, we have to take the bad with the good. Hopefully, the balance will work out,” Crandall said.

The highway garage is in the R-1 District, which is already zoned for communications towers, but the town is exempt from its own zoning, so the board is authorized to locate the tower at its own discretion.

In new business, the board set a public hearing for July 14 at 7:00 p.m. to consider increases in the income ceiling that qualifies senior citizens for tax reduction.