Dear Editor:

Mariner Tower has applied for a variance to build a 120-foot cell tower in Ocean Point at Route 96 and Van Horn Road.

According to AT&T coverage maps, the proposed tower has limited reach due to topography, leaving the majority of Linekin Neck and the most populated areas of Ocean Point with “inadequate and unreliable coverage.”

Considering the very small reach of this one tower, how many more will we need to complete AT&T’s service coverage? 

Cell service is a necessity in today’s technological age, but cell towers are not. Everyone wants cell service but no one wants a tower in their backyard for obvious reasons. They are unsightly dinosaurs that put the burden of cell service on a handful of neighbors by diminishing their property values. The industry recognizes that we can’t meet our growing mobile needs with cell towers alone and modern technological alternatives are available. 

Small cell networks are one alternative currently being implemented across the country. Small cell devices (the size of a ream of paper) are installed on existing telephone poles offering an affordable, low impact and “greener” way to significantly improve mobile coverage in hard-to-serve markets with challenging terrain. Over the next three years, AT&T will deploy more than 40,000 small cells across its network. Why not in Boothbay?

The Boothbay Zoning Ordinance already permits tower placement in commercial, industrial and maritime zones, but clearly states that towers are prohibited in all residential zones which is why we must find an alternative. The variance proposed by Mariner Tower would overturn our ordinance and set precedence for building towers in any residential area in town. And this would allow more and more such towers to be placed near residences in the years to come. 

Mariner Tower is in the tower business; they will not help guide us to the right solution, one that provides our community with the best cell service possible using the lowest impact technologies. Please take action: attend the first public hearing on October 29 or send a letter to support protection of our ordinance and to encourage town officials to investigate all possible alternatives.

For more information, visit smallcellsboothbay.wordpress.com.

Brad and Danielle Betts

East Boothbay