Board to Discuss Piney Orchard Cell Tower Next Week

The Board of Education next week is scheduled to review a plan to place a cell tower on the property of Piney Orchard Elementary School. 

The discussion comes after some elected officials expressed concern about the proposed tower, which would address wireless service gaps in the community. Milestone Communications is in preliminary talks about using the school site, but has not formally filed a request to build.  

Elected officials including Sen. Jim Rosapepe (D-District 21) and others representing Piney Orchard have asked the board to reconsider the proposal. Some Piney Orchard parents had previously been vocal in their opposition, citing concern over health effects and property values. 

Discussions with the Piney Orchard Community Association on finding an alternative site in the community have gone nowhere, the Capital-Gazette reported. 

Milestone currently has a master least agreement with the Anne Arundel County Public Schools, which outlines how revenue from the tower would be share. Lawmakers have also asked the school board to revisit that agreement. 

The school board will meet on September 11 beginning at 10 a.m.

See also: 

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