By Kate Hill
Staff Writer
On Sept. 9, the Cazenovia Town Board discussed the imminent deployment of 5G wireless technology within the town limits.
Fifth-generation cellular network technology (5G) is anticipated to dramatically increase the speed and responsiveness of wireless networks.
Unlike previous generations, which use tall regional cell towers to send signals over long distances, 5G requires dense concentrations of smaller and more easily disguisable towers.
In Sept. 2018, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved an order aimed at accelerating the build-out of 5G network infrastructure across the country.
The FCC’s decision curtails the authority of municipalities by restricting how much local governments can charge wireless carriers for the privilege of installing hardware in public rights of way. It also imposed deadlines for municipalities to grant or deny 5G deployment applications.
The FCC is, however, granting municipalities some limited rights in terms of minimizing the visual impact of the “small cell wireless facilities” and setting fee schedules for telecommunication facility permit applications.
On April 8, the Cazenovia Town Board passed a resolution (Resolution 64) announcing the town’s intent to control the aesthetics of the telecommunication upgrades and to set a fee schedule as authorized by the FCC. The resolution also announced the town’s intent to pass a larger, more comprehensive local law in the near future.
Sue Henderson, of Ballina Road, raised the topic of 5G again at the meeting.
During the public comment period, Henderson informed the board that she recently discovered a newly erected pole on her property, which she believes will eventually house a 5G small cell.
Henderson expressed concern regarding the proximity of the small cell to her home, given the unknown health impacts of long-term exposure to the radiofrequency radiation associated with 5G technology.
According to Henderson, the newly erected pole is positioned just 80 feet from her home.
“It’s new technology and, just like anything, we don’t really know about the potential health risks of having radiation pinging all the time,” she said. “… My main concern is the [proximity of the box] to my house. It’s right out my front door.”
Henderson inquired as to whether or not the board would have a say in regulating the distance of the small cells from homes within the town.
Town Supervisor Bill Zupan said the issue of distance would likely be addressed in the 5G local law that Town Attorney John Langey is currently drafting.
“[Before we make a decision regarding the adoption of] the law, there will be a public hearing,” Zupan said. “You’ll be able to read the law first and bring your concerns to the board. If we feel like we’re not addressing your concerns . . . we can take your concern and write it into the law.”
According to Langey, the proposed local law will likely be introduced at the next regular board meeting.
Henderson said she saw nothing related to distance in Resolution 64, which passed April 8.
“The federal government is going to tell towns, counties and villages throughout New York State and the entire country, where we have some say in regulating [the 5G deployment],” Langey responded “We have some leeway with aesthetics and we have some leeway with the permitting fees that we can collect. We can encourage co-location, we can encourage the design and type and style of the poles and we can try to minimize their height [as much as possible] . . . if the federal government will allow us to get into [cell] placement, we’ll get into it.”
Langey added that, if permitted to do so, the town would also encourage the idea of positioning the poles along property lines, rather than directly in front of residences.
Based on the FCC’s previous decisions regarding cell tower technology, Langey suspects that the federal government will not permit municipalities to dictate anything based on the potential health impacts of 5G.
Councilor Kristi Andersen said the location of the 5G cell towers and their proximity to houses could potentially be considered aesthetic concerns.
“We are going to push it as hard as we can and see where it lands,” Langey said.
Following the board’s comments, Henderson summarized her concerns.
“People try to eliminate or lessen risk in their own personal lives . . . but I feel like this is a [risk] that has just been imposed on me,” she said. “I’m not giving consent; it’s just there. If my house is there, what can I do? Sell my house? . . . A lot of people don’t have these concerns, but I know there are people that do have these concerns.”
The next regular Cazenovia Town Board meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 7 at the New Woodstock Firehouse, 2632 Mill Street, New Woodstock.
For more information, visit towncazenovia.digitaltowpath.org or call the Town Office at 315-655-9213.
