Some neighbors not happy with new cell tower

POLSON — A new cell tower being built alongside Montana 35 just outside Polson has some homeowners upset and seeking alternatives.

Jim Blodgett, vice president of the Viewpoint Homeowners Association, said the cell tower “could lower the prices of the home sites and we’ve heard different reports that the towers can cause medical problems.” 

Viewpoint sits on the corner of Haack Road and Montana 35. Six homes have been built on the 26 lots within the development.

Blodgett said Viewpoint property owners have several concerns “including health, safety, electronic interference and the creation of an ‘incurable visual and property defect’ which would undoubtedly cause further depreciation of property values.”

Bob Kelley, a public relations representative for Verizon Wireless, said the tower will stand 190 feet tall and should be completed by the end of this year or early next year.

“The antennas need to be in certain places for appropriate coverage and to communicate with other antennas and towers,” Kelley said. “This site in particular was identified as an ideal site as we continue to expand our network.

Blodgett said he first heard about the tower in February and held a series of meetings with other owners and began communication with various Verizon officials. 

When it seemed the construction was a ways off, Blodgett didn’t think about the issue for a while, until a few weeks ago when he noticed workers staking off the area for the tower.

Kelley said he is willing to keep open the lines of communication” but doesn’t plan to set up a meeting. He said all comments and concerns the company has received have come from Blodgett, with whom he has spoken extensively on the issue.

“We have been trying to allay [Blodgett’s] concerns as best we can,” Kelley said.

“As of now, we certainly regret that he remains dissatisfied, but we do plan on proceeding. We certainly want to be good neighbors, but also to provide good cell service from Verizon.

Another neighbor, Mary Frances Caselli, contacted the Daily Inter Lake and said that a petition against the cell tower is gaining signatures. She said that alternative sites have been made available to Verizon, but the company has not responded.

Caselli said one issue that has not been adequately addressed yet is the impact on wildlife.

“We have confirmed with the NRCS that our little valley is a flyway and we have so many geese and swans and herons flying all day long and the songbirds will be most affected by the tower,” Caselli said. “We found out that the guy wires are most dangerous and the songbirds are at the most risk with cell towers.”

The owner of the 40-some acres south of the development on which the tower will sit is Frank Stock, who said Verizon contacted him about the possibility of leasing some of his land for the structure. Stock said he understands the neighbors’ concerns but considered the tower a positive addition to the area.

“I thought about those concerns, I mean I live here, too, and I think the benefits will outweigh the concerns,” said Stock. “I think we’ll end up with better wireless service all along the south shore. If the health issues were a concern, they wouldn’t be all over the country like they are now. At least, that’s the way I see it.”

The property is just outside of the zoning jurisdiction, so it doesn’t need a public review process. For more information about the petition drive, call 871-0742.