Politics & Government

Board Reschedules Tower Hearing

Monday night's scheduled hearing on the proposed Dock Watch Quarry antenna tower moved to May 2.

A lack of quorum for the Warren Township zoning board Monday meant two scheduled hearings, including for the cell antenna tower proposed for the Dock Watch Hollow Quarry that has been drawing dozens of residents, had to be moved to May 2.

With four members present—including John Villani, Richard Hewson, George Dealaman and alternate Roberta Monahan—the board could do little more than open the meeting, read its agenda, hear a question from Warren resident John Wishnia regarding zoning ordinances and adjourn.

A steady stream of Warren and Bridgewater residents approached the Susie B. Boyce meeting room at the municipal complex, hoping to hear testimony on T-Mobile's proposed cell antenna tower. Past meetings have filled the room, as engineers and consultant for the company have explained the plans, and many residents have challenged the proposal.

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T-Mobile's consultants have testified the tower would enable cell phone service for much of the area along Dock Watch Hollow Road, though not all of it. The plan calls for a 160-foot tower to be placed on land owned by Somerset County.

Residents have objected to the placement of the tower on land purchased using open space tax funds, as well as the height, saying such a tower would lower property values and degrade the area's vistas. Some have urged the company to use less-intrusive systems, but T-Mobile denies such systems are viable.

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The hearing will continue at 7 p.m. May 2, at the Warren municipal complex.


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