Woodstock officials will consider using a telecommunications industry expert to help it chart a path in dealing with a proposal to install 5G equipment on the town-owned cell tower.
Through an intermediary, Crown Castle, who maintains the tower, T-Mobile has proposed replacing some of its antennas with those capable of transmitting and receiving 5G signals. Crown Castle’s representative Richard Zajac said T-Mobile has no plans in the immediate future to install any other equipment capable of 5G, but the antennas will be compatible with the new technology.
The Town Board was set to hold a special meeting June 28 to discuss consulting with attorney Andrew Campanelli, who has helped other towns prevent or delay the installation of 5G technology.
The industry touts 5G as the next generation technology capable of better internet connectivity and higher data speeds. Opponents have raised alarms about health risks, which have not been scientifically proven.
T-Mobile has not communicated any plans to install a millimeter-wave version of 5G, which has the capacity for the highest speeds, but would require smaller cell sites on each utility pole since the signal doesn’t travel as far. That form of 5G is best suited for urban areas where the dense population can be better served.
Opponents to 5G have urged the town to act swiftly because the wireless infrastructure is under a so-called 60-day “shot clock” where it is approved by default if a municipality takes no action. But Supervisor Bill McKenna believes the town has a trick up its sleeve.
“I’ve told many people, while there is a shot clock, we do have the luxury of being the tower owner and until the Planning Board is satisfied with the application, the Town Board’s not going to sign any lease,” he said at the June 22 Town Board meeting.
“We did this last year when there was some concern, or two years ago… there was an application and they started this crap about the shot clock,” McKenna said, referring to a similar application from Verizon.
“And the Planning Board went through the full process. It went over the time period. And you know, ultimately it was all 4G and it was no issue and it got approved.”
But 5G opponent Steve Romine expressed concern about letting the “shock clock” run out, which will happen around the first week of July.
Romine said Crown Castle invoked the “shot clock” in the application and again at the most recent Planning Board meeting.
“They can talk about that all day long,” McKenna said.
Romine said Crown Castle stated at the Planning Board meeting that the goal is to get the work down on the tower earlier than the deadline.
“Their goal and our goal is not the same,” McKenna responded.
“And again, yes, there’s a shot clock and legally, they may have to pass it. But until we’re satisfied that it’s not a problem, we don’t have to let them up on our tower.”
Rex Funk, a resident and 5gG opponent, echoed comments from the last Planning Board meeting, whose members expressed doubt the new antennas would expand and improve reception in the fringe areas, which is a goal of the town in the interest of public safety.
“Putting 5G antennas on our tower will not improve reception in Lake Hill and Willow and places like that,” Funk said.
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