Hulmeville Residents Pack Meeting Room For Hearing On Proposed Cell Tower

Will the Hulmeville Borough Zoning Hearing Board allow Verizon to build a 136-foot-tall cell service tower behind the William Penn Fire Company station on Main Street? That’s the question the board is expected to answer by April 1.

Wednesday evening’s hearing at the borough hall on Main Street was packed with residents, many who vocally opposed the plan. The hearing was the final of three that have taken place this year.

Verizon is seeking five variances relating to land use, antennas, tower size and landscaping, according to officials. Currently, the land Verizon wants to use to build the tower is behind the fire station and its zoning does not allow for communication towers to be permitted.

According to previous statements by Verizon officials, the tower would help the fire company bring in around $21,000 a year. The money is needed to help fund the volunteer fire company that serves the borough and portions of Middletown.

The tower would be housed in a 44-foot by 25-foot fenced compound partly surrounded by trees. A small shelter for equipment would be at the base of the tower, which would not feature any permanent nighttime lighting.

T-Mobile and MetroPCS have antennas already installed at the aging water tower off main street. Petros Tsoukalas, an engineer for Maser Consulting, testified he did not think the addition of another 10 feet on top of the tower would be safe or feasible.

Main Street resident Mary Johnson, who is on the Hulmeville Historic Review Committee, called the proposed tower that would be disguised as a tree an “eyesore.” She also stated she felt it would impact people’s view of the tiny borough that can be a stop for tourists.

“Why do we want to ruin the integrity of this borough?” Main Street resident Lisa Mayberry asked without response from officials.

Fred Black, whose elderly mother lives at the Black Farm on Trenton Avenue, asked if Verizon if he would be able to hang Christmas lights from the tower made to look like a tree. Nicholas Cuce Jr., an attorney for Verizon, responded: “Are these real questions?”

Steve McGuinness of Main Street voiced his concerns about the health hazards and aesthetics of the tower, likening it to a facial tattoo that will draw visitors attention.

Tsoukalas stated before the hearing board about the tree-like aspects of the tower and also the physical sturdiness of the tower. He also answered questions about the proposed tower’s ability to withstand strong winds and how it would crumple in sections in the unlikely case it began to collapse.

An impassioned statement in support of the proposed tower came from lifetime fire company member and Reetz Avenue resident Walter Hofmann.

Some residents also voiced their annoyance that they were not notified about zoning meetings. Borough officials responded by stating the meetings were mentioned by town council, advertised in the newspaper and properties adjacent to the site of the proposed tower were sent mail notification.

At the end of the hearing, McGuinness submitted a petition with roughly 150 signatures that were against the tower. The zoning board attorney did enter the petition to the public record. However Cuce objected twice, once after a resident said the petition was presented with misinformation about the height of the proposed tower.

Hulmeville Zoning Hearing Board Chairperson Douglas Harris told the public toward the end of the meeting that the board will review all the testimony and case law before making a decision.

The zoning board’s next meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1.