Proposed Scott Twp. cell tower faces opposition from residents
Jul. 28—SCOTT TWP. — A proposed cell tower is generating bad reception from some township residents.
Northeast Pennsylvania SMSA Wireless Limited Partnership, doing business as Verizon Wireless, wants to build a 158-foot tower on property at 71 Govan Road. The property is owned by John and Cindy McKenney, according to legal notices published in the Times-Tribune.
The tower would be built just over 110 feet from the road, enclosed by a 8-foot fence. Verizon is seeking variances from the township's zoning hearing board to build the tower in a neighborhood business district, near a the road and close to power lines.
Neighbors are unhappy about the proposal, concerned about health effects, proximity to homes and businesses, and its impact on their rural lifestyles.
"It's an eyesore," said Mary Claire Boylan, who lives on Hermel Street. "It doesn't belong in a residential neighborhood."
Boylan is particularly worried about the project because her son, Joseph Boylan has multiple health issues. She said cell towers are connected to conditions like cancer, infertility and headaches.
"The health effects are terrible," she said.
The American Cancer Society says there is no strong evidence that radio frequency waves from cell towers cause any health effects. They point to a statement from the Federal Communications Commission saying exposure to RF transmissions is thousands of times below safety limits.
Karen Ryczak, vice president of programs and surveillance for Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, said experts agree more studies are needed to look into a potential association between radio frequency radiation and cancer.
Neighbors also are concerned about the tower being built on wetlands.
"For the ecosystem that's horrible," Boylan said.
Others worry that the tower is so close to buildings and power lines that they wouldn't be spared if the tower fell down.
"There's not enough clearance," said Hermel Street resident Mark Hamby.
Hamby's neighor, Jeff Kovack said the township has enough open space for the tower to be built elsewhere. Audrey Roman, who lives on Doris Road, worries allowing it could bring other large developments to the township.
"Zoning laws are in place for a reason and all residents must abide by them. Allowing a big business like Verizon multiple variances to these laws defeats the purpose of having them," she said. "If this is approved, it sets a precedent for future projects of this nature to go through."
The McKenneys, who have owned the property since 2005, declined to comment on the project when contacted by a Times-Tribune reporter on Thursday .
The board was supposed to hear the plans last Monday but were adjourned because a stenographer didn't show up, township Supervisors Vice Chair Mike Giannettasaid. About 50 people attended the meeting, he said.
Those who oppose the project will have a chance to voice their concerns at the continued meeting Monday at 7 p.m. in the township municipal building.
The tower is the third one proposed in the township in the last three years. Tillman Infrastructure and John R. Sarnoski Living Trust wanted to put up a 235-foot tower at 319 Manning Road that provided AT&T service in 2020, but their request was denied by the zoning hearing board. It would have been built about 900 feet from an existing tower on Manning Road, one of three in the township.
Last year, Verizon proposed putting a 180-foot tower on the outskirts of Hillside Park in South Abington Twp. but suspended the plans. Members of the Abington Area Joint Recreation Board, which runs the park, said Verizon needed special approval from the state to build it due to a deed on the park property requiring it to be used for recreational purposes.
Board Co-Chairman Mark Spatz said the company hasn't contacted the board since the plans were scrapped.
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clee@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 ext. 5365; @Cleespot on Twitter.
