PETITION AGAINST PROPOSED LOCATION OF CELL TOWER IN HILLSDALE, NJ 

PLEASE NOTE - WE ARE NOT AGAINST ALL CELL TOWERS!

HOWEVER, WE ARE OPPOSED TO THE PLACEMENT OF A CELL TOWER ACROSS THE STREET FROM MEADOWBROOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL & HILLSDALE SENIOR HOUSING, IN THE PARKING LOT OF TOWN RECREATION FACILITIES & IN THE MIDDLE OF A DENSELY POPULATED RESIDENTIAL AREA

DETAILED BELOW ARE SAFETY CONCERNS AS WELL AS AN ANALYSIS OF THE NEGATIVE IMPACT THIS WILL HAVE ON SURROUNDING PROPERTY VALUES

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To: Hillsdale Borough Council and Planning Board

We, the undersigned residents and concerned citizens, oppose the location that has been proposed for the new cell tower installation near our elementary school, senior housing facilities, town pool, recreation facilities, and residential neighborhoods.

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WHY WE OPPOSE THIS LOCATION

Vulnerable Populations at Risk:

The tower would expose children (with developing nervous systems and thinner skulls), seniors, and families to continuous radiofrequency (RF) radiation.

Children Are More Vulnerable:

The Maryland Children's Environmental Health and Protection Advisory Council warns that children may be at greater risk than adults due to developing nervous systems, thinner skulls, greater RF penetration, and longer lifetime exposure.

Scientific Evidence of Health Concerns:

A substantial body of peer-reviewed research documents health risks from cell tower proximity:

• The International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO) classified RF radiation as "possibly carcinogenic" (2011) and multiple scientists have called for upgrading this classification to "carcinogenic to humans" (Group 1) based on subsequent research
• The National Toxicology Program found "clear evidence" of tumors in animals exposed to RF radiation (2018)
• 73.6% of studies on cell tower exposure report negative health effects; 80% of studies within 500 meters of towers report increased adverse symptoms or cancer
• Studies document increased rates of brain tumors, headaches, sleep disturbances, cognitive problems such as memory and concentration difficulties, fatigue, fertility and other reproductive issues, as well as other negative health effects in populations near towers
• The American Academy of Pediatrics calls for stronger protections for children from RF exposure
• Research on adolescents shows delayed motor skills, cognitive function impairment, and decreased learning ability associated with cell tower proximity

Inadequate Safety Standards:

• Current FCC guidelines date from 1996 and haven't been updated despite decades of new research finding negative health effects at levels far below FCC guidelines
• The U.S. Court of Appeals (2021) ruled the FCC acted "arbitrary and capricious" by refusing to update guidelines, noting the failure to address evidence of health effects below current limits and adequately consider effects on children, long-term exposure and environmental harm
• Multiple expert bodies (The European Parliamentary Research Service and various state commissions) have called for stronger protections and application of the precautionary principle
• Many countries have adopted more protective standards than the US
   

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WHAT WE REQUEST

We respectfully request that the Hillsdale Borough Council and Planning Board:

• DENY the permit for the proposed cell tower at this location (across the street from Meadowbrook Elementary School, Hillsdale Senior Housing, and in the parking lot of Stonybrook Pool)
• Require alternative site evaluation placing infrastructure as far away from schools, senior housing, recreation facilities, and homes as possible
• Conduct independent health impact assessments before approving any cell tower installations
• Hold public hearings for community input
• Establish protective policies prioritizing public health for future telecommunications infrastructure

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THE RESEARCH

Here is a link to a document that details scientific research on the health risks of being in close proximity to cell towers.  There are hyperlinks to each study, so that you read the primary research yourself - https://claude.ai/public/artifacts/741a3e62-bbd3-48be-814e-0827a6e403bb 

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IMPACT ON PROPERTY VALUE

Please see the link below for an analysis of the potential impact this cell tower could have on the surrounding property values - https://claude.ai/public/artifacts/0d8e68ac-8287-43a3-976b-0e16459b91ba

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THE PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE

When scientific evidence suggests potential serious harm to vulnerable populations, protective action should be taken. Given that thousands of peer-reviewed studies document negative health effects from cell towers that emit RF radiation below current safety limits, a federal court ruled current FCC guidelines inadequate, and this is the first generation with lifelong exposure to these radiation levels—we have a responsibility to protect our community, especially our children.

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CONCLUSION

We support adequate telecommunications service but believe public health and protecting the value of our homes must take priority. Alternative locations exist that would not place vulnerable populations at risk and would be further from people's homes. We urge the Hillsdale Borough Council and Planning Board to exercise caution, prioritize residents' health and wellbeing, and to protect the value of our Hillsdale families' homes.  Please deny this permit for this location.

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For more information:

Environmental Health Trust (ehtrust.org), Bioinitiative Report (bioinitiative.org), Americans for Responsible Technology (americansforresponsibletech.org)

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This petition is based on peer-reviewed scientific research and the precautionary principle.

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SHARE THIS PETITION Help us protect our community! 

After signing, please share this petition with:
Friends and neighbors in Hillsdale
Parent groups and school communities
Social media (Facebook, Nextdoor, etc.)
Local community organizations
Senior centers and retirement communities
The more signatures we gather, the stronger our voice!