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Fire District asks the council to reconsider cell tower decision
(by Cindy Forrest - October 29, 2008)
The town council has agreed to revisit a previous request made by members of the Parsippany-Troy Hills Fire District No. 6 to locate a cell phone tower on firehouse property.
The decision to reconsider the project came after Fire District No. 6 President Dan Marconi and a team of volunteer firefighters attended a recent council meeting to ask that they be given an opportunity to make a case for the cell tower plan.
Last May the council voted down the project that would have allowed the fire district to host a Verizon communication’s tower at their site at 800 Smith Road. The main District No.6 firehouse is on Littleton Road; however, there is an annex located on Smith Road that was given to the department by the township of Parsippany. When the land was turned over to the fire company, there was a deed restriction put on it that prohibits the use of the property for profit.
In order for Verizon to move forward on the project, the firefighters would have to secure the support of the council in the form of a vote to override the limitations currently on the deed.
Councilman Michael diPierro reminded his fellow council members that the initial decision to turn down the firefighter’s request was predicated on the fact that the fire station property is located in a residential area and in close proximity to St. Ann's Church.
However, Council Vice President Ann Grossi agreed readily to re-open the discussion.
“If they feel that they weren't given the opportunity to present their side, then I would like to give them that opportunity to be heard,” she said.
Councilman John Fox was in agreement. “Considering what they do for us,” he said, “listening to their argument is the least we can do for them.”
Although the location of the proposed tower seems to be problematic, the money raised would be used to offset expenses and purchase new equipment.
Council President John Cesaro agreed to allow the firefighters to make their case and scheduled a presentation by members of the fire district for the next agenda meeting on Nov. 12.
Cindy Forrest can be contacted at: forrestc@northjersey.com.
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