Cell Tower Raises Property Value, Health Concerns

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.