The Town of Amherst, New York, is seeing a dramatic increase in applications for cell towers and micro cells—medium-sized, single antennas that are attached to existing structures like utility poles. Amherst Town Code is grievously out of date and inadequate at handling these requests. The lack of a master plan for wireless telecommunication infrastructure in Amherst leaves the Town at a disadvantage, unprotected from the wireless companies’ incessant demands.

As a resident of Amherst, I support a moratorium on all new wireless telecommunications facilities including: communications towers, monopoles, antennas, and micro cells in Amherst until revisions to Town Code can be enacted.

I also support the inclusion of a master plan for the smart and sustainable development of wireless telecommunications infrastructure in Amherst's revised comprehensive plan. This master plan would ensure that the needs of residents are given priority over the business plans of corporations.