UPDATE: Residents Have Mixed Opinions Over Cell Tower, Some Raise Health Concerns

UPDATE: Nearly two dozen New Canaan residents gathered in Town Hall Tuesday evening to pose questions and concerns to the Siting Council and T-Mobile representatives over the proposed cell phone tower construction at Silver Hill Hospital. 

While some residents expressed their satisfaction with plans to broaden cellular service throughout the township, others expressed concerns over perceived health risks related to heightened cellular and electromagnetic emissions created by cell towers.

Among the more vociferous of concerned citizens was Gail Merrill, a breast cancer survivor who chooses not to own a cell phone in fear of the associated radiation. Mrs. Merrill pointed to an already higher-than-average occurrence of pediatric brain tumors in the town of New Canaan and told the Siting Council, "If the tower is built, [she would] move out of New Canaan."

At the time of press, phone calls placed to experts at the University of Connecticut to inquire about medical risks associated with cell tower emissions  had not been returned.  

Tuesday afternoon's demonstration staged by T-Mobile Northeast, LLC, in which a pink balloon was raised to 120 feet to simulate the height of their proposed cell phone tower, was dampened by heavy rains and strong winds. However, despite inclement weather, the balloon will continue to float at 208 Valley Road, behind Silver Hill Hospital, until 7 p.m Tuesday evening.

An hour later at 3 p.m., engineers, consultants and other representatives for T-Mobile convened with the Connecticut Siting Council to answer questions concerning their plan to construct a tower that would increase cell phone reception in the scenic "dead zones" of New Canaan.

Among the issues brought up by state officials, was the proposed size and diameter of the tower, which one Siting Council member described as a "monstrosity." 

The tower is intended to be 120 feet tall, with a 76-inch diameter at the base, tapering to a diameter of 54 inches. So far, Verizon is the only company outside of T-Mobile that has made plans to install antennas in the tower.

First Selectman Jeb Walker was on hand to express his interest in the tower's construction, saying, "Cell phone service is a major concern [to the town],"  both for quality of life and safety. 

Federal law dictates construction of cellular towers are out of the state's jurisdiction, even if it is being constructed in a township such as New Canaan. The Siting Council is welcoming the input and questions of town residents, either at Town Hall at 7 p.m. or via written letter for the next 30 days.