Town Wants Wireless Study

First Selectman Peter Tesei has announced plans for a study of wireless coverage in Greenwich following last month's dispute over building a cell tower. Officials had drafted a 10-year lease to let T-Mobile put up a 157-foot cell tower on town property, but the board of selectmen held off voting on the project when residents and open space advocates argued against it. The tower would be constructed on the Montgomery Pinetum nature preserve.

A consultant will look at signal strength and dropped calls in the area of Cos Cob and North Mianus where the cell tower might be constructed. Tesei said the town has "limited [open space] resources" and the purpose of the study will be to determine whether it is necessary to give up some of those resources to improve cell service.  Officials have not yet set a budget for the study. 

Residents will be able to voice their opinions on issues to be covered in the study. Questions for the consultant about wireless coverage must be conveyed to the purchasing department by Nov. 17. The town hopes to have the study completed by Jan. 30. The findings will be presented to the Board of Selectmen.

Tesei said qualifications for the telecommunications consultant include a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, four years of experience studying cellular infrastructure, two sample reports and three references from other towns or private entities the person has worked for.

 

 

First Selectman Peter Tesei announced Thursday the town is planning to commission a study on wireless coverage after controversy arose last month over the erection of a proposed cell tower in town.

After drawing up a drafted 10-year lease with T-Mobile to erect a 157-foot cell tower on town property, the town had held off voting on the project in October to commission the study. At a previous Board of Selectmen meeting, residents and open space advocates argued against the proposed construction of a cell tower on land at the Montgomery Pinetum nature preserve.  

A consultant will look at signal strength and dropped calls in the area of Cos Cob and North Mianus where the cell tower may possibly be constructed. Officials have not yet set an official budget for the project and Tesei said he recognized the town has “limited resources.” The purpose of the study is to determine whether the project is affordable.

However, residents will be given the opportunity to voice their opinions on aspects the study will examine. Specific questions for the consultant on wireless coverage must be conveyed to the purchasing department, the sector responsible for the bidding process, by Nov. 17. The town hopes to have the study completed by Jan. 30 next year. The completed findings must be presented to the Board of Selectmen.

Tesei said qualifications for the telecommunications consultant include a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, four years of experience studying cellular infrastructure, two sample reports and three references from other towns or private entities the person has worked for.

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