We are asking the Select Board and the Planning Commission to notify the Public Utilities Commission that: 

1. the tower should be moderated in height from the proposed 176 feet to 100 feet to be in compliance with the town plan
2. that Vertex create a secured bond for dismantling the tower when no longer in use to minimize the financial exposure to the town 
3. for the town to develop a comprehensive, holistic plan for cell coverage in town
4. for the planning commission to research and consider alternative technologies that readily exist
5. request the planning commission host another public meeting weighing the pros and cons of the tower

Only to be signed by residents or landowners of Tunbridge VT.

More Information:

The purpose would be to hear opinions and thoughts regarding the proposed tower, its impact on the town (both positive and negative), environmental impacts, to consider possible alternatives, and long-term planning for telecommunications in the Town. We recommend scheduling such a meeting promptly to ensure that Town is able to fully participate in this cell tower citing project. 

We recommend that the Town focus on holistic planning, including all telecommunications and other Town needs, and use that as the basis for providing feedback on the proposed cell tower. Such planning should focus on overall sustainability of the Town and an overall plan, rather than piecemeal fashion.

While the decision regarding a Certificate of Public Good being granted to Vertex lies with the PUC [Public Utility Commission], their decision can be and is in fact influenced by the municipal government and citizen comments. Several towns in New England of similar rural character have influenced changes in cell tower projects by either relocating or reducing size. 

We ask that the SB and TPC insist that certain conditions be imposed on the project which reflect the town plan language and the general will of residents to compromise for the greater good.  

We believe there are alternatives to multiple, tall cell towers on our hilltops. We also believe that the town plan language should be strongly considered; yes better cell service is wanted but we also want to be cognizant of its impacts on views, property values, environmental impacts,  and potential health effects. 

This is not a small project. An estimated 25-35,000 square feet of earth will be disturbed as a result of the project with the building of a 2000 ft long road that measures 12-15 feet wide, a bridge capable of supporting concrete trucks across a year round wetland, power right of way and 50x50 pad site with outbuilding. Maintenance will also be important to consider.  Thus, there is a real impact to the community, beyond adding telecommunications, that needs to be considered. The long-term use and viability of this tower is also an important consideration and a measured and thoughtful approach is needed. 

It would do the town well to consider this quote from an email of a TRORC planner regarding the proposed project: “Our main concerns after looking at the [Advance Notice] plans center around the ‘road’, the power line and tree cutting, wetland and storm water impacts of the road, the installation of power and better access effectively creating a likely subdivision, and the usual visual impact. The balloon test will show impact, but our guess is it will be minimal at the proposed site.” In fact, the visual effect of the balloon rising to 176 feet standing over 110 feet above the tree line was an overwhelming and out of scale sight and is in contradiction with the Town Plan to minimize the visual effect of proposed cell towers.

The 176’ proposed tower is out of scale for the size of our community. This project is possibly the beginning of several cell towers in the area and it seemed clear that Vertex hopes/plans to build other towers in Tunbridge.  Alternatives should be considered. For example, it might be better for the Town to have several smaller towers, rather than one large tower. Indeed, Vertex might already be planning additional towers. Towers will change our landscape, and the feel for our iconic village views. We urge the TPC and SB to request and make arguments for a shorter tower, 100 ft at the most. That would mean the tower is still about 50 feet taller than the surrounding trees. 

The notion that Tunbridge has no “chief poobah” as the Vertex rep stated at the meeting on May 29th and has no control over its own destiny is just wrong. The elected officers and engaged and active residents and property owners care deeply about the future of the town including having an appropriate communications infrastructure and preserving the agricultural character and landscape of our town. We trust the select board and the TPC will provide a thorough and thoughtful approach with transparency.

** Photos of the location on Monarch Hill Road where the tower would be placed.