Neighbors, city officials fight cell tower in Methuen
METHUEN — City councilors and Mayor William Manzi are joining residents in opposing T-Mobile's plan to install a cell phone tower at 24 Maplewood Ave.
"They're looking to put it right in the middle of the most congested neighborhood in the city," said Mark Paine of 20 Maplewood Ave. "It's just a ridiculous place to put a cell phone tower."
Paine said he fears the tower could cause health problems for neighbors and property values to drop.
The proposed site for the tower is behind Paine's house on land owned by Albert and Lorraine Gervais of Lawrence.
Paine said the lot is near a pond and the land floods in the spring. Plus, he said, there's no need for the tower.
"We have 100 percent coverage through Verizon in the city of Methuen," Paine said.
The Zoning Board of Appeals has yet to approve or deny T-Mobile's application for the permit for the tower.
Paine attended last night's City Council meeting and brought a petition signed by neighbors saying they have "total opposition" to the tower. City councilors and the mayor signed the document.
"I understand that we need cell towers, I just think the location is not a good location for a tower," Manzi said after the meeting. "I think the residents have made some good points. I think that close of a proximity to a residential zone is not a good thing. I think even the federal Telecommunications Act tries to avoid that type of proximity."
Manzi said officials would be happy with work with T-Mobile to find an alternate site.
Gervais' phone number is unlisted and he could not be reached for comment last night.
