Bridgewater, T-Mobile Settlement Could Include Cell Tower

A letter filed with the United States District Court Thursday indicates that a settlement could be imminent in the litigation between the Bridgewater Township Board of Adjustment and T-Mobile—but if it is, a cell tower will be built.

According to a letter filed with the court in Trenton, Bridgewater, in January, offered to make an alternative location available to T-Mobile for building the proposed cell tower. The land offered is public property owned by the township, not the previously proposed fire company.

The letter does not indicate where exactly the property is.

In May 2012, the board of adjustment denied an application from T-Mobile to build a 125-foot cell tower at the Green Knoll Volunteer Fire Company. T-Mobile filed suit later that year, saying the board's decision was arbitrary and capricious.

Thursday's letter—which was signed by attorneys for T-Mobile and the township—states that T-Mobile has investigated the newly proposed location and found that it could be suitable.

"At this point, the township and the board are in the process of reviewing the specifications T-Mobile requires to determine whether the potential settlement path is viable for both the township and the board," the letter says.

According to the letter, this investigative process may take up to 60 days, after which time a negotiation will be held to create a lease for the property, followed by a public hearing to approve the settlement agreement.

The letter says they expect to move forward with a previously planned settlement conference April 12 to report on the potential settlement and whether it will move forward.

Township administrator James Naples did not immediately return a call for comment.