Politics & Government

Public Opposition Voiced Over Proposed Radio Tower on Knollcroft Water Tower

The New Jersey Network presented plans to the Township Committee on Tuesday to attach a radio antenna to the existing structure.

It was a polite disagreement, but residents and representatives of the New Jersey Network (NJN) came to a head over the placement of a new radio tower on the Veteran's Affairs property in Lyons.

Approximately 15 residents came to the Township Committee meeting Tuesday night to hear the proposal from NJN to attach a radio antenna and receiver onto the Knollcroft water tower next to the VA Hospital in Lyons.

NJN is negotiating a sublease with NJ American Water, which leases the federally owned property from the VA, to install their radio equipment. One 20-foot-high pole, three and a half inches wide would be attached to the top of the tower, with a 24 inch antenna affixed to the pole. There would also be a receiving antenna attached to the side of the tower and a control box underneath.

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Richard Williams, Assistant Director of Engineering for NJN said, "In an effort to reduce capital and operating costs, NJN constructs broadcast equipment onto existing structures." According to Williams, the proposed tower would help fill a designated "underserved" area for noncommercial FM radio. NJN would supply area homes with NPR programming, NJN News and also distribute emergency broadcasting alerts from the state police to the area.

Several township residents expressed their opinion that the benefits did not outweigh the costs of the project. Kathryn Daut of Linden Drive said she opposed the project because of the visual changes to the water tower and its proximity to residential neighborhoods.

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"The use of water towers for antennae only makes sense for industral areas, and not in a residential area," Daut said. "I don't believe that Basking Ridge would benefit from this intrusion into our landscap."

Other residents expressed concerns over potential health risks from living near an active radio signal. Carl Postighone, a physician in the area, said that it is not always clear what causes diseases, and that in his opinion the potential side effects of radio emissions are unknown.

Michael Viola of Blackburn Road said, "I think there is a lot more data that needs to be collected to determine whether or not long term exposure to frequencies causes [health problems]."

Williams of NJN spoke to residents concerns by saying that broadcast frequencies are heavily regulated by the FCC to limit potential adverse health effects. Williams said, "There is no risk for someone walking around or under the tower," and that most of the energy is directed toward the horizon. The radio signal would be turned off if workers needed to perform maintenance above ground on the water tower.

John Carpenter of the Township Committee, filling in as chair in the absence of Mayor Scott Spitzer and Deputy Mayor John Malay, instructed the NJN representatives to provide more information on the legal aspects of the plan to determine how each side should approach the other. Carpenter said that the township was under the impression that NJN could act independently because they would be working on federally owned land, however, unless they appeal for an exemption the township would still expect them to go before a local land use board.

After the meeting, the NJN representatives met with the residents in attendance for a question and answer session about the proposed tower.

"They were very professional and open to community concerns," Viola said, however NJN told residents that the water tower was the only location in the area that met their qualifications for radio tower placement.

Jennifer Viola said that residents who are opposed to the tower plan to speak with the VA and NJ American Water with the hope of convincing them to abandon the project.


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