Washington county considers new cell tower

Gilberts Mill Road is in a rural, remote area on the edge of Washington County. 

A developer is proposing a cellular communications tower in that area, to be built on a larger parcel owned by an absentee landowner.

 A group of residents is opposed to the tower.

The developer feels the opposition is unwarranted. 

The proposal came before Washington County Commissioners during a public hearing on Thursday.

Residents told commissioners they’re not looking out for the citizens’ best interests. 

“You have been elected to protect us. Not a developer,” says Jeannette Foran, a local resident. 

Citizens are afraid the tower will hurt their property values, be a threat to the environment, and affect their health. 

They said they simply want the commissioners to listen to their concerns and not approve the development. They feel the additional tower is not needed, and more importantly, unwanted. Around 76 individuals have signed a petition against the tower. 

“And I think the commissioners need to remember that everyone that signed my petition is a registered voter. And also that when we vote for those county positions, we vote countywide. We don’t just vote for our single district. So people who vote for this tower that are from different districts, they’re sending a message to the people in this district, in this area, and the county that you know, basically well, we listened to you and we heard your arguments and you live there and we don’t well, we don’t care. We’re going to do it anyway,” says Matt Costen, a local resident. 

A final decision on the cell tower will not be made until the meeting on November 20th.