Council Backs Down From RFP Bid on Firehouse Cell Tower

Under heavy fire from dozens of residents, the village council backed down and pulled a request for proposals (RFP) to build a 140-foot cell tower at the fire headquarters on East Glen and North Maple Avenue Wednesday night.

Village Manager Ken Gabbert said last week that building a 140-foot tower at the firehouse could very likely eliminate the need for cell towers to be built at Barnett and First Street, as well as Valleau Cemetery, both opposed by their respective neighborhoods.

To boot, because the firehouse is village property, the tower could be passed through without slow-moving hearings from the zoning or planning boards, and it could receive an annual revenue of over $100,000 a year from a monopole.

The village must have thought it a win-win, putting out a bid for proposals on July 6 before it was to pass on consent agenda on July 13.

But not so fast, said the residents around N. Maple and E. Glen Avenues.

"It's critical the process is immediately put on hold, and the bid request rescinded until an independent committee can be formed to do a proper evaluation of cell tower impacts on the community," said Dennis Johnson, of Mullberry Street. "This must include studies on property value impacts, health and the safety of our children, and alternate feasible options for monopole installations."

A petition and notice of a resident-proposed moratorium was put out a few days prior.

A total of nine residents spoke opposing the bid project Wednesday night, drawing applause from supporters in attendance, and effectively convincing the council to halt the RFP.

"It's surprising that our elected council would choose to push forward a project in the quiet summer [that is] so clearly objectionable, without scrutiny of zoning or planning board review," said Ridgewood resident Mark Harris.

"I’m nauseous about this whole entire process," added Michael Kedersha, who lives two doors down from the firehouse. "There's no amount of income or revenue that you guys [the council] can get that can justify putting all the health and safety of the children, families and firemen to make it warranted to put that cell tower up anyway."

Still, Kedersha admitted he knows of no neighborhoods in Ridgewood that wouldn't protest a large cell tower. "There's no good place for a cell tower in Ridgewood," he said. "So putting it in a place where you don't have to get authorization from the public is just a slap in the face."

Councilman Paul Aronsohn suggested it be pulled from consent agenda. "There were so many points that were raised for consideration," he said.

Regardless, the council admitted the process was not a good one.

"I agree that at the very least we need to have this aired in a more public manner," said Deputy Mayor Tom Riche. "We’re always torn between various strains, lack of revenue, trying to do the right thing for the village. But it’s the residents of this village who [we] represent, and I think we heard that loud and clear tonight."

Is there a good place?

The question, of course, remains–where can a cell tower go? Residents are ever-demanding that there be adequate coverage, bars to the stars and lightning-fast data. But no one seems to think their neighborhood–whether it be the firehouse, Valleau, First and Barnett, or Lakeview–is a good place.

Certainly not around Travell, those who spoke Wednesday night said. With flooding, Valley and Graydon, they say they've had enough.

But they're not the only ones.

"I don't think anyone wants a cell tower. We have to make that decision," said Mayor Keith Killion.

Gina Damasco, who had written a published by local news outlets and gathered numerous petition signatures, said the proposal to form a committee represents a departure in approach from normal resident squabbles with cell companies.

"It's always been my concern to make sure that we're not just looking at it just from our perspective. I mean, we have personal interests, of course, we live in the town," Damasco said. "But all of the town is our interest because we all live here." The proposed committee would be tasked with exploring alternate sites for carriers, while also examining the possibility of utilizing technology that would be less intrusive to the neighborhood.

Damasco, in an interview after the council discussion, said she was glad the village elected to hold off on the decision, though it's not clear if a committee will be formed or in what setting the council will discuss the now-quashed firehouse monopole plan.

"I'm really glad the decision was to sort of table the RFP and have a public discussion of it. They can capitalize on the expertise and knowledge base of their own residents. I was pleased to hear our voices were heard," she said after the meeting.

Residents suggest alternatives to cell towers

Residents opposed to the project also suggested that antennae can be placed atop buildings, an alternative that is more expensive for carriers, but could potentially mitigate or eliminate the need for cell towers. 

Ridgewood is not the first objector, municipalities across the nation have been fighting these structures. However, cellular carriers have strong legal ground, limiting what towns can do to prevent their "inherent benefit".

"I think we could serve as a beta site for other towns in New Jersey," said Mary Ann Copp. "Let's put Ridgewood on the map in terms of citing of cellular services, instead of pitting neighbor against neighbor, town against town."

Mayor Killion, for one, was not in favor of a committee. "You can committee something to death," when the answer is already known, he said in response to Copp.

There is of course, one alternative.

"I have no service in my house, I don’t really care," said Kedersha. "I could live with it, it’s not the end of the world."

"I'm willing to give up my cell phone in terms of having better reception in my area," said Harris. "I assume all of you would as well if it were being built in your back yard."

When that portion of the meeting commenced, many checked their cell phones for messages and missed calls in another coverage gap being , whose fight has undoubtedly taken a hit with Wednesday's decision.

Councilman Stephen Wellinghorst said he was impressed by the coalition of neighbors on Wednesday night.

"I wish my children were here tonight so they could hear a civics lesson in the making," he said in support of pulling the RFP off the agenda. "This is democracy in action, I think it's probably appropriate that we sit back and talk about it a little bit."

Village Manager Ken Gabbert did not immediately respond to a request for comment as to why the bid was put out before official council passage.