Politics & Government

Cell Tower Question Faces Vote Tonight

Aesthetics, revenue, and reception in debate

The City Council is set to bring the matter of a proposed 140-foot cell tower back to the fore tonight after on the issue last month.

Save Ocean Beach has agreed with the recommendation of Message Center Management Inc. of Hartford to put the tower up at the edge of the parking lot near the entrance of . Proponents say the tower is needed to improve emergency radio and cell phone reception in the southern portion of the city. Save Ocean Beach has also said the revenues from the tower, an estimated $1.2 million, will be essential to keeping the park open and maintained.

Opponents of the plan have criticized the location of the tower, saying it will be deterrent to visitors and damage property values for neighboring homes. Both New London and Waterford residents have expressed concerns about the project. Some have said they do not oppose a tower at the beach, but would prefer it at a different location.

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The City Council postponed a vote on the issue on July 5. The item is on the agenda for tonight’s meeting, scheduled to start at 7 p.m. at .  


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