Cell tower: It's not if, but where and what

TINTON FALLS - As a way of getting easy money, putting up a cell tower and inviting carriers to rent space may be a fine option. Even churches are getting on line, constructing cell tower spaces in the steeples.

Last week, the Borough Council listened to a presentation on constructing a cell tower on municipal property because the one they have there now has seen better days.

Declan O'Scanlon, a wireless telecommunication consultant with a business called FSD Enterprises, gave a cell tower presentation to the council and talked about the type of towers available and the best location.

"I looked for an appropriate place to put a cell tower and found the municipal building property to be the best place. It can be located in a section of the parking lot behind the current municipal building. It's good because it's away from the road," he said.

He explained that there are two types of towers that would be appropriate for the location and needs of the town; the lattice tower and the mono pole. He said the mono pole, which would be approximately 180 feet high, would be aesthetically better because it is less obtrusive.

He noted that the base for the mono pole would be 50 by 50 feet and the base for the lattice pole would be 60 by 60 feet.

"We could do a tree, but the place is not appropriate. It would be one great big tree in the middle of your municipal complex," he said.

O'Scanlon explained that the borough would have to find potential bidders to pay for the tower, which would cost between $100,000-$150,000 to erect. He said the first carrier would pay for installation of the tower and also about $30,000 a year. Each subsequent carrier would pay 50 percent of the yearly lease fee.

Councilman Michael Skudera brought up the question of safety. O'Scanlon said there is already a communications tower there for municipal communications so that is not going to change.

In fact, he said, "if anything, we'll be moving the equipment higher. I am convinced, and so is the federal government, that there are no health issues. The emission from the antennas are hundreds or thousands of times below the levels that have been set."

Councilwoman Therese Cahill asked how many potential carriers would fit on the tower. O'Scanlon said it could not be more than four because that is how many carriers are in the market.

"They [communications companies] are looking further north. We're right on the cusp of where they need to be," he said.

Mayor Peter Maclearie suggested that the tower be placed further back on the property, and Stephen Pfeffer, chief financial director, said the cost of the tower is already included in the cost of the new municipal complex.

The next step is for the council to pass a resolution to go out for bids.

O'Scanlon, who is also a Little Silver councilman, said because it is not an ideal location, the borough may not get any responses.

He explained as a consultant he works for carriers and municipalities. His mission is to deal with the sometimes controversial issue of cell tower siting in such a way that it works out in the best interest of the residents of the municipalities.

"Our goal is to minimize the proliferation of towers and where towers are needed to place them in such a way as to minimize impact on residents and maximize municipal control over the project."

He said he has worked with some churches, but hasn't completed a project yet. "Steeples are not always tall enough," he said.