Cell Tower Raises Property Value, Health Concerns
Green Brook resident Mark Sherman concerned about possible impact of tower.
Resident Mark Sherman challenged the Green Brook Township Committee about the newly-built Verizon cell phone antenna tower next to the municipal building, at Monday's committee meeting.
“I think it was a poor decision on all your parts to allow that, and basically deface municipal property,” Sherman said. “This is a beautiful building; you got people planting flowers here. Now it looks like an air force base.”
Sherman, who said the tower is visible from his home, questioned the committee members about the terms of the contract with Verizon, and the need for the tower at all. He asked how long of a contract the township had entered into, and was told it's believed to be 10 years.
“To what benefit to the township does that bring, other than $40,000 a year?” Sherman asked.
“Well, it’s $24,000 a year,” township CFO Raymond Murray responded. “The other benefit is that people will have better cell service here in town.”
Sherman responded by saying that he has Verizon service and that, “there isn’t a dead zone in town.” Mayor Jerry Searfoss added the township can access the tower for improved emergency service radios if necessary.
Sherman also said that he wasn’t happy that it was right in his back yard and asked if the members of the committee would want it in theirs.
“No, I wouldn't,” Mayor Searfoss said. He said Verizon considered several sites in the area, and added, “We decided that if somebody's gonna get paid, Green Brook’s gonna get paid.”
Sherman also complained about the appearance of the tower's control shed, which is surrounded by a chain-link fence. Mayor Searfoss said Verizon planned landscaping improvements and fence slats to improve the appearance of the area.
Sherman finished by saying that he was going to get a meter to check the magnetic waves, and also said that he hopes that the tower doesn't affect his home value.
Green Brook Resident
7:50 am on Thursday, September 20, 2012
The green brook swim club was looking into getting a cell tower and would have put it deep in the wood of their property. They weren't able to get the cell tower because, to quote Mr. Searfoos, "we decided if somebody is going to get paid, Green Brook is going to get paid.". So there it is. Rather than hidden in the deep woods, it is right on the road behind our Green Brook Township sign in plain view of prospective home buyers! Do we have no pride in how our township is perceived by those who drive through?
Joe Dingus
9:48 pm on Thursday, September 20, 2012
Unfortunately, the cell companies site the towers where they need them, not where you want them. I'm sure they didn't approach the council and spend a ton of money to put ther tower there unless they needed the coverage.
Green Brook Resident
7:11 am on Friday, September 21, 2012
The half mile between the sites is inconsequential. Also you apply for the tower and they decide the need. It can be said there must have been more appropriate sites.
Arildo Santos
12:10 pm on Friday, September 21, 2012
How come the Township just goes ahead and does wath they want.
Tax payer have noting to say about?
Sue Osnato
1:25 pm on Friday, September 21, 2012
While I will agree that this tower is ugly and I would hate to have it in my backyard. I also have to say that this was in the works for quite some time and discussed at many town meetings throughout these last couple years. At the last meeting it was mentioned that the DEP sent out a letter to homeowners in the area regarding this. If I were one of those homeowners I would have questioned it.
We complain about high property taxes. I know I do. While this is not desireable and understandably so. I give credit to the town for trying to find other areas of revenue rather than the homeowners pocketbooks.
I do feel for the people in this area though. If it were my neighborhood, I would have fought it for sure.
I advise trying to hit up some town meetings and see what's up. They discuss these things before they happen. You have the right to contest it.
Arildo Santos
5:36 pm on Monday, October 8, 2012
Monday 10/15/12 7.00 PM There will be a very important meeting at Green BrookTownship to discuss the property taxes.
Please try to come to the meetings
Taxes continuo to climb, after the valuation of the houses dropde