Board Reviews Cell Tower Plans, Rejects Call to Stop Talks

The county school board Wednesday shot down a measure that would have stalled negotiations involving a cell phone tower at Piney Orchard Elementary, but said it could work to create a over-arching policy regarding such deals. 

School officials said they expected to receive a second proposal from Milestone Communications later this month regarding plans for a tower at the school. A public meeting is tentatively scheduled for September 17. 

Parents of Piney Orchard Elementary students, who had voiced concern about an earlier proposal this year, reiterated their opposition to a cell tower on the school property. Some said they feared potential health impacts of radio waves, while others cited concern over aesthetics and property values. 

"It's your duty to vote in the best interests of the children, not because you have a budget deficit and this is a quick fix," Piney Orchard resident Jessica O'Kane said. 

Board member Andrew Pruski, who previously voted in favor of a master contract with Milestone, said he has reconsidered the Piney Orchard site, in part because there is no clear policy in place regarding cell towers on school properties. Other counties, he said, have clear guidelines for how such deals should be carried out. 

He urged the board to approve such a policy before moving forward with any specific project. The measure was defeated by a 6-3 vote.

Board members said they supported the creation of a policy, but noted that it may take as long as a year to formulate. 

"I respectfully don't agree that we have to come to a stop because we don't have a policy in place," board member Kevin Jackson said.

Milestone would build the tower under a master lease agreement with the school system passed last year. Under that agreement, county schools would receive rent payments and a share of revenue from the use of the tower. 

Milestone presented a proposal for the school earlier this year, but said it would explore other sites. The company has not yet filed a formal plan to the county, but has indicated that the school remains its preferred site. The company identified the school as a good site for a tower because of its central location and high ground.

Alex Szachnowicz, the chief operating officer for county schools, said that in general, school systems should be amendable to allowing cell towers on school properties because the government prefers towers be placed on public land. 

See also: 

• Residents Speak Out Against Cell Phone Tower
• Verizon Wants Cell Tower Piney Orchard Elementary