Health concerns and property values were pitted against wireless dead zones as the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals voted to approve a new cell phone tower on Thursday.

The proposal, brought by Marshfield-based Industrial Tower and Wireless, is a 145-foot tower to be built in a wooded area near Jane Lane off Route 6.

The company first brought the proposal to the Planning Board in April. Due to its location outside of a designated cell tower zone off I-195, the tower went to the Zoning Board for review.

Attorney Jeffrey Angley said that Industrial Tower wanted to build outside of the cell tower zone due to its “limited geographic location.”  Angley said, “Those towers do not reach down into the area that needs to be covered.”

But Jane Lane resident Jack Hillier was concerned that property values might decrease and health concerns might increase if the tower were built.

“Am I going to have to tell company when they come to my house that there’s an FCC warning?” said Hillier. “It’s a nice, quiet residential street. I want to keep it that way. We know the town needs coverage it can’t just be plumped in someone’s backyard.”

Brad Hathaway, a resident from Aucoot Road, agreed. “To put an industrial facility in a residential area is far worse than putting a business in that area,” said Hathaway.
Kevin Delaney, Engineering and Regulatory Compliance Manager for Industrial Wireless, said the tower would not be visible to most residents.

Delaney has also maintained that there are no health concerns with the project.

“A microwave oven puts out more power than a cell phone tower,” he said.

Not all residents at the hearing were against the tower.

“I recognize the issues the property owners have, but times have changed and the need for this cell service throughout our town and especially in that area is very badly needed,” said Resident Bill Tanner.

Angley said the tower would provide reception for a two-mile stretch of Route 6 and areas south of Route 6.

“Right now there is a deficit in coverage for all major wireless carriers,” said Delaney. “We’re looking to fill in the coverage gap.”

Due to the elevation drop-off near the ocean, Delaney said several areas, including Point Connett and areas of Aucoot Road would not benefit from the tower.

“The only way we could cover something like that is to get a taller tower,” said Delaney.

Though some areas would remain dead zones, Delaney said the Police Department, which uses a different frequency, would have greater coverage in many of the areas.

After hearing from Industrial Wireless and Mattapoisett residents, Zoning Board Member Colby Rottler was in favor of approving the project. “It’s over 300 feet from any home. I’ve never heard of anybody near a cell tower in Massachusetts being adversely affected,” he said.

Member Kenneth Pacheco added that the increased reception could be crucial in case of accidents on the road or in the water. “If you don’t have the proper radio contact down there, it could cost a life,” said Pacheco.

The Zoning Board voted four to one to approve the project. The project will next go before the Building Commissioner for approval. Delaney said he would like to see construction begin on the tower in the spring.