Marblehead residents opposed to cell phone tower additions

MARBLEHEAD – Fueled by Internet reports about the health risks associated with cell phone technology, neighbors of the water tower at 25 Tower Way are looking to town officials for leadership.The Planning Board will hold a hearing on an increase in cellular equipment at the tower, referred to as an antenna array, at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, at the Abbot Hall auditorium.Three local residents – Linda Weltner, Rachael Gerny and Barbara Karademos – made an appeal to the newly-sworn Board of Selectmen Wednesday night.Gerny said they were unaware of the existence of previous equipment at the tower until they received notification of the May 27 hearing on the increase. Weltner recalled an earlier incident in which neighbors rallied and stopped a similar installation."I’m frightened for my health," Karademos said, showing photos of the water tower next to her back yard. "I have my daughter living with me, she’s nine months pregnant and due on May 27. May 27 was going to be a happy day but now I’m in turmoil and I don’t know what to do."In addition to her family, Karademos pointed out that elementary school children walk by her house every day.Town Counsel Lisa Mead said the bylaw adopted by the town lists design criteria the Planning Board can use in approving or denying a request, but no health criteria are included and, until they are specifically included, town officials can’t take them into account when they consider a request. The town earns $20,000-$24,000 a year for allowing cell equipment on town property.Water and Sewer Department Superintendent Dana Snow, who briefly left the meeting to answer a cell phone call, told the board he reviewed a number of Internet sources after the three neighbors contacted him and found a variety of opinions on the health effects of cell towers, including an American Cancer Society report indicating that his cell phone was more of a health risk than a cell tower.Selectman William Woodfin said he lives next door to a cell facility and railed against its installation. He decried the lack of health criteria in the federal cell technology laws and said the selectmen should encourage the Planning Board to add health concerns to the town’s cell equipment bylaw.However, other selectmen declined to contact the Planning Board at this time or initiate a bylaw amendment, which they said should come from the Planning Board.Selectman Judy Jacobi assured the three residents that neither selectmen nor any other board would ever risk public health for revenue.Town Administrator Tony Sasso said selectmen did consider a lawsuit to stop a cell tower in town, but were advised by the former town counsel that they had no basis for a lawsuit.