Amherst Unanimously Approves A Wireless Communication Moratorium Resolution!

At the Monday, May 8, 2017, regular Town Board meeting, the Board unanimously voted to approve RESOLUTION 2017-511 Wireless Communication Moratorium! As approved, the resolution “directs the Town Attorney’s Office to draft a local law imposing a 140-day moratorium on final decisions on all applications for the installation of new cell towers and applications for DAS antenna system and other “small cell” systems installed on utility poles in the public-right of way; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the public hearing on this local law be scheduled for June 5, 2017.” Two other important and related wireless resolutions were also unanimously approved during the May 8th, 2017, 4pm Work Session: RESOLUTION 2017-518 Re-Issuing a Request for Proposal for Wireless Telecommunication Consulting Services RESOLUTION 2017-524 Wireless Telecommunications Advisory Committee Below is the prepared statement that I delivered during public expression in support of these resolutions: "As a resident of Amherst who seeks smart and sensible wireless telecommunication infrastructure in our community, I welcome and fully support the Town Board’s timely, pragmatic and region-leading wireless-focused resolutions on tonight’s agenda. I commend the Board’s foresight in recognizing the critical issues facing the Town in this regard and in taking swift, decisive actions for the good of Amherst. Not only is the Board’s proposal of a moratorium prudent, it is also an encouraging, non-partisan response to the will of the residents of Amherst who have been making their voices heard by attending meetings, engaging in the discussion, and adding their names to petitions since March of this year. These petitions stress the need for the Town to adopt a deliberative approach to wireless telecommunication planning and implementation in Amherst. I encourage all of you to go online and read the impassioned comments of the residents who have lent their support to these important and time-sensitive resolutions. Thank you again for your initiative." The video for the 7pm regular meeting can be viewed here: http://amherstny.iqm2.com/Citizens/SplitView.aspx?Mode=Video&MeetingID=2824&Format=Agenda The video for the 4pm Work Session can be viewed here: http://amherstny.iqm2.com/Citizens/SplitView.aspx?Mode=Video&MeetingID=2825&Format=Agenda Last night’s approvals were a huge and progressive achievement for residents who seek sensible wireless infrastructure in Amherst! This crucial moratorium and other complementary wireless resolutions would not have passed without your support! However, the fight isn’t over yet! If Mobilitie felt threatened and motivated enough to fly in someone to publicly oppose this moratorium last night, it would not be unreasonable to expect that other wireless carriers including Verizon may choose to do the same in June. With this in mind, please consider attending the June 5th, 2017, regular Town Board meeting and delivering a statement declaring your support for a Wireless Communication Moratorium during the public hearing. I further encourage everyone, if you haven’t done so already, to please consider emailing our Town Board members to reaffirm your support. (Make sure to copy the Town Clerk on all emails so that your correspondence is formally acknowledged and added to the official record.) Amherst Town Board Members Supervisor Weinstein – bweinstein@amherst.ny.us Steve Sanders – ssanders@amherst.ny.us Ramona Popowich – rpopowich@amherst.ny.us Deborah Bucki – dbucki@amherst.ny.us Francina Spoth – fspoth@amherst.ny.us cc: Marjory Jaeger, Amherst Town Clerk – mjaeger@amherst.ny.us Thank you!