Board refers cell tower proposal to Planning Commission

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NAUGATUCK — Naugatuck officials are working toward an agreement that would end with a cellphone tower built on borough land rather than a residential property.

In April, Tarpon Towers II, LLC, a wireless communication tower company based in Florida, submitted plans to the borough to build a cellphone tower on residential land at 815 Maple Hill Road.

The plan was met with concerns from residents near the proposed site. Subsequently, Mayor N. Warren “Pete” Hess approached the company about building the tower on borough land, known as 0 Maple Hill Road, next to Maple Hill Elementary School.

Although there isn’t an official agreement in place, Hess said the borough is in talks with Tarpon Towers II.

The Board of Mayor and Burgesses has referred the plan to build the tower on borough property to the Planning Commission for its recommendation, which it’s expected to have for the board before the board’s Aug. 6 meeting.

Town Planner Lori Rotella said the borough has only the original plans submitted by Tarpon Towers II for 815 Maple Hill Road on file, and the company hasn’t submitted any new plans.

Hess said the borough-owned property is a better site for the tower. He said no one came forward with concerns about the location when a tower was proposed for the site in 2017. This plan eventually fell through.

Hess added the borough would reap any profits from the site and be allowed to place additional radio transmitters for the fire and police departments on it to improve communications.