First I cannot thank everyone enough that attended Tuesday night in person and via Microsoft Teams. The questions were smart, direct and informational. There is power in numbers and the room was filled. Very impressive. Happy to have you on our side.

Secondly there were alot of unanswered questions. We would like to request another Public Hearing with the Town of Chester. Homeland Towers need not attend. If you are interested in another hearing please email First Selectwoman Lignar. FirstSelectman@chesterct.org

From Homeland Towers we learned that monopoles under 140' do not require lights. We learned the tower is 400' from the closest home but we have not seen a site plan showing that. We learned that if additional carriers wanted space on the tower it would be taller than 130'. We also learned that there were no alternative locations being suggested. 

The most disturbing information was the town wants to put the vote on the ballot in November. This is a win-win for the town because of the wording for the vote. Will it say "Do you want a cell tower or not? Or will it say "Do you want the cell tower relocated to a commercial or industrial zone? Another win would be that people will vote for them before knowing the answers from the vote.

If they will not move the tower out of a residential zone...I know how I will vote.

Below is the information supplied by Homeland Towers.

July 29, 2025- Town of Chester Public Hearing
Proposed Wireless Telecommunication Facility by Homeland Towers LLC - CT060 Chester

Site Plan Details

Site Address: Chester Town Garage, 16 Grote Road, Chester, CT (Map/Lot: 10/214).
Property Owner: Town of Chester.
Facility Design: Proposed 130' tall monopole Telecommunication Facility (“Facility”).
FAA: No marking or lighting of tower required.
Collocation: Facility designed for commercial wireless carriers and Town's public safety equipment.
Compound: 8' tall, fenced compound 3,150 SF (70' x 45').
Access: Use of existing entrance into property.
Utilities: Proposed underground by CL&P.
Proposed Cellular Coverage: Downtown Chester, RT 148/154 intersection west to Route 9, north on RT 154 to Parkers Point Road and south on RT 154 to Bridge Street, Deep River.

Ground Lease/Communication License Details

Initial Option: $2,500 payment by Homeland to Town for 24 months.
Option Extension: $2,500 payment by Homeland to Town for 12 months.
Lease Term: 10-year initial term with (4) 5-year renewal terms, 30 years total.
Rent: Payment to Town the greater of $2,000 per month or 25% of gross rents collected by Homeland. Escalation: 2% annual.
Removal of Facility: $50,000 surety bond to be posted by Homeland Towers.
Town's use: No rent paid by Town to install antennas at 135' or between 55'-75' on Facility.
Taxes: Homeland is responsible for all real and personal property taxes attributed to the Facility, Town responsible for their pro-rata share of taxes levied against Facility and for their use/equipment not to exceed $3,000 per year for first three years. Taxes only applicable if Town installs equipment on the Facility. Revenue paid to the Town over 30-year lease with (4) carriers on Facility: $1,610, 139.00.

Project Time-line for Leasing, Zoning Approval and Construction of Facility

Step 1: Ground Lease executed between Town of Chester and Homeland Towers.
Step 2: Verizon has expressed interest on this site and will be the anchor tenant. Homeland to execute a lease with Verizon.
Step 3: Homeland to file a Technical Report with the Town and present project at a public information meeting in town.
Step 4: After 90 days of filing the Technical Report, Homeland will file an application with Connecticut Siting Council (CSC), 4-6 months for a decision.
Step 5: Should CSC approve the Facility, Homeland to file for a building permit with the Town of Chester.
Step 6: Homeland to construct site, approximately 60 days.
Step 7: Carier to install equipment and be operational, approximately 90 days.