The Connecticut Siting Council approved the construction of a cell tower endorsed by New Cingular Wireless AT&T and Tarpon Towers on August 12, 2024.
The location of the wireless telecommunications facility will be at 99 Dart Hill Road, South Windsor, Connecticut.
On November 24, 2023, the applicants installed a 4’ x 6’ sign along Dart Hill Road adjacent to the proposed site building site to inform residents of the cell tower’s future location.
Additional forms of required communication were provided to inform residents of the build.
“Per state statute, the applicant was required to publish a notice of the application in the newspaper, which was in the Journal Inquirer on August 17 and August 18, 2023. Also, notices of the application were sent to all abutting property owners by certified mail on August 17, 2023,” South Windsor’s Mayor, Audrey Delniki, informed The Prowl in an email.
Enclosed in the courtesy letter, written by project execution manager, David A. Ball, was cardinal information regarding the tower’s dimensions and precise location.
“The proposed facility would consist of a new 165-foot monopole tower (not to exceed 183 feet with antennas) along the southern edge of the 3.57-acre parcel at 99 Dart Hill Road in South Windsor (the ‘Site’). The tower and equipment will be installed within a 60’ x 60’ fenced facility compound,” Ball explained.
Although South Windsor residents are unable to vote on this matter, the Sitting Council held a public hearing on December 14, 2023. During this meeting, a public comment session provided interested residents with the opportunity to express oral statements concerning the tower.
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Street view of 99 Darthill Road in South Windsor where the proposed cell phone tower will be constructed.
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Powerlines across the street from 99 Darthill Road in South Windsor.
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99 Darthill Road, the proposed location of the cell phone tower.
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“Interested persons were also afforded an opportunity to provide written limited appearance statements at any time up to 30 days after the close of the evidentiary record,” Delniki explained in her written response.
The application narrative says, “the cell tower’s implementation intends to improve 911 service, and FirstNet service within the residential areas near Avery Street, Dart Hill Road and Miller Road. The cell tower will allow first responders better communication in the event of an emergency, ensuring safety.”
There are 3 already existing cell towers within the town: located on Sullivan Ave and Ellington Road. Limiting cell service access from the secluded residential areas listed above.
According to the application narrative, the total cost of the faculty construction for this project is approximately $325,000. This cost includes the cell tower and installation fees, site development, and utility installation. This project will not be funded by the town, but by applicants, Cingular Wireless and Tarpon Towers.
Construction of the cell tower will take 4-5 weeks. The monopole structure, antennas, and other associated equipment will take an additional 8 weeks to complete. The proposal estimates a total of 15 weeks needed to complete this project.
To limit residents’ radiofrequency exposure, the tower’s antennas must comply with established criteria implemented by the town and applicants.
Visit the Connecticut Siting Council’s official website, Docket No. 518, for more information regarding South Windsor’s new cell tower.
