PITTSFIELD, Mass. — AT&T plans to replace a temporary cell tower with a permanent one on the Casella property.
The Zoning Board of Appeals supported variances and a special permit to facilitate a permanent wireless monopole facility at 500 Hubbard Ave., where Casella Waste Systems operates a transfer station.
Blueprints show the permanent, 111-foot tower next to the temporary tower's current location. The wireless company leases the space.
"It is pretty much buried behind the Casella property. It's hardly visible from the street except for the height of the pole, which I think people are used to at this point in time," board member Thomas Goggins said at the Wednesday meeting.
"I think the applicant and the review have been thorough both on the consultant's part, the city's part, and of course the applicant so I think it satisfies the needs for communication for the community."
Casella purchased the former waste transfer facility from Community Eco Power LLC, which filed for bankruptcy in 2021, and demolished it for redevelopment. AT&T's wireless facility was on a smokestack atop the building and had to be relocated to a temporary, free-standing structure.
"In light of the redevelopment plans for the Site, AT&T has separately requested that the Board extend the timeframe for the temporary wireless facility," the application states.
"This Application seeks the Board's approval for the permanent Facility. Of course, upon commencement of operations at the Facility, AT&T will remove the existing temporary wireless facility."
The previously granted variance expired in July and the cellular company asks that it be permitted until July 31, 2025, claiming that due diligence for the permanent facility has taken significantly longer than anticipated.
Attorney Edward Pare emphasized that the tower is crucial to providing residents, businesses, commuters, and emergency personnel utilizing wireless communications in the area.
"These services further the public interest of health and safety as they will maintain wireless 911 services to the community and communication services for the public," the application reads.
"According to published reports, 80 percent of all calls received by the 911 centers nationwide annually are made from mobile handheld devices in the United States. Today, wireless infrastructure is required to assist with public safety needs."
The applicant also asked for relief for property line setbacks, as the site is in the General Industrial (I-G) zoning district. The new tower's location is about 25 feet from the nearest property line with associated equipment as close as 5 feet.
The abutting property is said to be an underdeveloped woodland but a replacement wire would be within 200 feet of the river and needs to be OKed by the Conservation Commission.
Several conditions followed the ZBA's support for both items.
"The nice thing about a permanent site is that we can do a full array of antennas. We're not limited by the ballast temporary pole so we should actually get some improvement in coverage in the area," Pare explained.
"The equipment will be in a fenced area, as with the temporary, likewise, it will be locked, and upon construction and commencement of operations, if this permanent site is approved, we obviously will remove the temporary monopole."
