No Cell Tower on Newton Street

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

We are currently working together to oppose plans for a 170 foot (17 story) cell tower to be built at 112 Newton Street in Greenfield, next to homes and close to Newton Elementary School and the Regal Care nursing home/rehabilitation center. This area is not zoned for a cell tower and would need a special zoning permit for one to be built there. There are more appropriate sites for this tower and a number of significant issues that occur when cell towers are built close to homes and schools, outside the industrial areas for which they are zoned. Why construct a new tower when other safer engineering solutions are available such as adding to existing towers, turning up the power of existing towers, and working with their directional aspects? If the town determines a new tower is necessary, there is a site in Greenfield that has proper zoning. New Hampshire commissioned a bi-partisan state commission that recommended cell towers be constructed at least 1,642 feet from our homes and schools to minimize their biological, environmental and community impacts.

Why do we need to stop this tower?

We need to protect our property values, community aesthetics, health, and the safety of our school & neighborhoods. Here are the impacts of the 170 foot tower being approved.

- Significant declines in property values reported by realtors and realtor agencies. https://ehtrust.org/cell-towers-drop-property-values/, https://ehtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/Property-Value-Drop-from-5G-and-Cell-Towers-Near-Homes-.pdf

- Impacts to aesthetics and community character

https://www.lozanosmith.com/news/cnb/CNB292019.pdf

- Safety (inadequate fall zones, cell tower debris, collapse & fires) https://ehtrust.org/cell-tower-safety-risks-fires-and-collapse/

- Biological: Health and Environmental Effects

This case is currently before our Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) for final approval. The decision-making hearing is Thursday December 12th at 6:30 PM, at Town Hall, 2nd Floor, 14 Court Square. We have been working with leading engineering and subject matter experts on safer & better solutions that will allow our area great coverage without the significant impacts a cell tower poses to our community. Their reports will be included in the legal brief.

Additionally, we are consulting with a nationally renowned attorney and expert in cell tower placements and telecommunications law to write the brief itself. The attorney is very selective in the cases he takes and upon reviewing our case, he has said that we have an 80% chance of being successful in stopping this placement at the zoning level.

Protect the community and support this critical effort!

Make a donation

Help us to cover the expenses of a comprehensive legal brief that will present a compelling case to oppose the tower. Reach out to us if you'd like to make your donation tax deductible!

Attend the hearing in person

Thursday, December 12th at 6:30 PM, the Zoning Board of Appeals is set to make their decision at this meeting, and we need you to come and voice your concerns. If people do not attend the hearing, the board will be convinced neighbors are not concerned.

Spread the word!

Thank you for your help in keeping Newton Street Safe & Cell Tower Free!!

Keep in the Loop

Hilltown Health is our local advocacy group on these issues and has helped lead multiple successful fights against inappropriate towers in Franklin County. Join the email list @ Hilltown Health