Cell Phone Towers Coming to Alton Bay

[Sparrow Hawk]

The towers will blend in with all the scars on the mountain sides from the houses that have been put up the last few years. Live free or die baby!

[Grant]

Sure, the "tree" cell phone towers are fugly, but are the gaudy McMansions devouring Lake shoreline any prettier? Honestly? Folks are more willing to ensure ocean-going 30+ ft. cigarette boats blasting by their shores at 60+ mph than they are a relatively inconspicuous tower. Frankly, I'd rather see fewer BMF boats (and their trailers along 93), and enjoy some better cell reception.

Just MHO...

[tricia1218]

there is one on 106 and I can honestly say it does not blend

[Rocky]

Originally Posted by Grant

Sure, the "tree" cell phone towers are fugly, but are the gaudy McMansions devouring Lake shoreline any prettier? Honestly? Folks are more willing to ensure ocean-going 30+ ft. cigarette boats blasting by their shores at 60+ mph than they are a relatively inconspicuous tower. Frankly, I'd rather see fewer BMF boats (and their trailers along 93), and enjoy some better cell reception.

Just MHO...

I'll second that!!

[RonP]

As a year round resident of Alton Bay, it kills me that this small town has spent $181,129 of taxpayer dollars fighting construction of a cell tower that the majority of full-time and seasonal residents of this town want and need. I work from home, have no cell coverage here, and the monopoly granted Union Telephone leaves me few options to reduce communications costs that run in the hundreds of dollars per month out of pocket. Beyond that, my Union Telephone issued phone number cannot be ported to a VoIP carrier such as Vonage; I am told that Union Telephone "OWNS" my phone number! What is going on here! This town's ridiculous stand against needed technology presents a safety issue to residents and passers by, and the exclusionary town ordinance that limits cell tower height to 10' above the tree line (note to idiots who write ordinances: trees grow, cell towers don't) has personally cost me many thousands of dollars in communications charges and lost business over the past ten years. To add insult to injury, my tax payments are funding this assault on my finances and my business for one of the most ridiculous reasons I have ever heard; "people will be able to see it". $181,129 in wasted taxpayer dollars sure could have been put to much better use; textbooks for the school kids, needed repairs to Alton Central School, a couple of teacher's salaries, road repairs to name a few. It's time those of us who pay taxes to this town stand up to town officials who waste public funds spending other people's money! This is an outrage !!

The following is from the Citizen

Alton Bay Cell tower dispute may be headed to court
Alton:

By GAIL OBER
gober@citizen.com
Thursday, October 29, 2009

The battle between the three companies and the town's selectmen over the proposed cell phone tower on Miramichie Hill will likely go court.

Town officials said Monday the Alton taxpayers have spent $181,129 defending the decision to deny the variance, a despite numerous and recent efforts, have still not reached an equitable settlement with them.

"I really can't comment on anything about the suit other than how much we've spent so far in legal bills," said Town Administrator Russ Bailey.

The Citizen has also learned the previous legal firm that represented the applicants — Industrial Communications and Electronics, the actual builder of the tower, and two cell phone companies, RCC Atlantic [d.b.a. Unicel] and USCOC [d.b.a. U.S. Cellular] — advised the applicants to fight the 2006 ordinance saying "unless you can say with absolute certainty that there are no other sites available in the entire town of Alton, obtaining a variance may be quite difficult."

"All that would be needed to defeat the application would be one available property that could host a tower 10 feet above the tree line," wrote attorney Earl W. Duval of Duval & Associates shortly before Alton voters passed the revised Zoning ordinances in March of 2006.

It was almost five years ago when Industrial Communications and Electronics, a tower contracting firm, chose Miramichie Hill in East Alton as one of two spots where a cell tower would bridge the gaps in cell phone coverage along parts of Route 28.

At the time, in 2005, a tower on Miramichie Hill would have involved a zoning variance because it was not in one of four "overlay districts" that allowed cell towers. The town was also under an "interim growth management ordinance" that prevented any new construction until the March 2006 elections when voters approved new zoning ordinances.

Voters overwhelmingly adopted the new zoning ordinances that allows cell towers in all areas of Alton, with a few exceptions, but restricted their height to 10-feet above the average tree canopy.

The problem, said independent engineers, was the Miramichie Hill tower needed to be 120 feet tall to be effective — 61 feet above the average tree canopy and still required a variance.

After the Zoning Board of Appeals denied the Miramichie Hill variance in December 2006, the cell tower companies switched legal firms to Steven E. Grill of Devine, Millimet & Branch of Manchester and filed suit against the town.

The cell tower companies and their developer are challenging that the revised Alton Zoning Regulations of 2006 "effectively prohibit" cell towers throughout the entire community — a violation of federal law.

However, according to the applicants' previous attorney, "Case law has said time and time again that it is in the discretion of the community to choose whether it wants taller but fewer towers, or shorter, but more numerous towers," said Duval in the internal memorandum to the cell tower companies that was admitted into evidence after it was accidentally included in a file during the discovery portion of the suit.

Further muddying the legal waters is abutter David Slade who successfully petitioned the court to intervene and become a co-defendant with the town of Alton.

"I really don't think they can settle this without me," said Slade who has offered financial assistance to the town to offset its soaring legal costs.

Slade has described his battle against the cell tower companies as a David-versus-Goliath-type battle where the cell tower companies have deep enough pockets to continue to fight in court for what they want, often forcing small communities with limited resources to knuckle under their wishes.

Slade has also questioned whether or not the selectmen have the legal right to override a zoning board decision with a negotiated settlement, saying he would think any change in the planning proposal, such as reducing the height of the proposed tower, would need to be reevaluated by the land boards.

[upthesaukee]

RonP: first comment from me: in your commentary, the three letter acronym on about the fourth or fifth line may be OK in texting, facebook, myspace, email, etc., but would probably be considered inappropriate by most posters in the forum. Maybe an edit and delete would be better there .

Second, you may not be aware, but since the recent purchase of Union telephone by TDS, Metrocast has finally been able to offer digital telephone to residents in TDS's areas, including portaging your number. If you choose not to do Metrocast, and want Vonage, I would assume that if Metrocast can portage, then Vonage should be able to.

I happen to live off the lake in Alton on the west side of the bay, and if that cell tower on the east side had been approved, I would have great coverage at my house. Right now I only have one bar in the house, and one to two outside in the front yard. Go up my road a quarter of a mile, and I have 5 bars!. I shared your frustration.

So, I suggest contacting the carrier of your choice and hopefully you can get the ball rolling towards a better communication situation for you.

Welcome to the forum.

[RLW]

Alton now does have new ways to have their phone service and a additional one coming the end of April first part of May. If you have MetroCast, they offer a fine phone service at a reasonable cost of $44.95 for unlimited calling anywhere in the US also gives about 12 different free options with it (KEEP YOUR OLD NUMBER). The end of April the new phone company owners are coming out with a complete new line of phone, internet an what ever else they can pass on, at good competitive prices. This info was given to me by a customer rep of TDS (Telecommunications Corp.) the new company owners. Just wait and keep the faith, good things will come (Hopefully).

[webmaster]

You all should really consider using OOMA if you have cable or DSL Internet service. OOMA is even better than the cable company's own phone services and it is free after you buy the box. You'll never get another phone bill. A year ago it cost $209 on Amazon. In most cases you can transfer your existing number over for a small fee. I transferred mine from Verizon without trouble. You get voice mail (that you can also check on the Internet), caller ID and all the features you are used to.

Someone mentioned it here about a year ago and I bought one. It paid for itself in less than 3 months and we've been phone bill free ever since. I figure we've saved over $500 so far. It works flawlessly except the few times that our Internet service went out. Even then calls still go to voicemail.

One of my favorite things about OOMA is that it uses all your existing phones and wiring. You just disconnect your wiring where it comes in, plug the OOMA into a wall jack, and all your phones, answering machines, faxes, etc. just work.

OOMA has a premium service that gives you even more capabilities but the free service works great for me. I highly recommend OOMA.

[RLW]

Originally Posted by webmaster

You all should really consider using OOMA if you have cable or DSL Internet service. OOMA is even better than the cable company's own phone services and it is free after you buy the box. You'll never get another phone bill. A year ago it cost $209 on Amazon. In most cases you can transfer your existing number over for a small fee. I transferred mine from Verizon without trouble. You get voice mail (that you can also check on the Internet), caller ID and all the features you are used to.

Someone mentioned it here about a year ago and I bought one. It paid for itself in less than 3 months and we've been phone bill free ever since. I figure we've saved over $500 so far. It works flawlessly except the few times that our Internet service went out. Even then calls still go to voicemail.

One of my favorite things about OOMA is that it uses all your existing phones and wiring. You just disconnect your wiring where it comes in, plug the OOMA into a wall jack, and all your phones, answering machines, faxes, etc. just work.

OOMA has a premium service that gives you even more capabilities but the free service works great for me. I highly recommend OOMA.

Thanks for the info Don, but I do have one question. Do they work (out going) when one loses power as in my case I had to drop MetroCast as it would not work during the power outage and it is needed for the alarm system and medical reasons. If one is full time residency and has power backup most all cable units will work.

[webmaster]

Originally Posted by RLW

Thanks for the info Don, but I do have one question. Do they work (out going) when one loses power as in my case I had to drop MetroCast as it would not work during the power outage and it is needed for the alarm system and medical reasons. If one is full time residency and has power backup most all cable units will work.

The OOMA does need power but so do your cable modem and router. If internet and phone service are critical I would plug all 3 into a battery backup unit.

[SIKSUKR]

I just like listening to the radio commercials. I would try OOMA but I signed for Comcast triple play for 2 years.

[granitebox]

I've been using OOMA for almost 2 years. I can't recommend it enough. We've had no problems.

Regarding power outages - unless you have a analog phone any cordless phone in the house will cease to function when the power goes out.

[codeman671]

OOMA sounds great, I may try it at our home. I'd like to try it at the lake but we have satellite and it is rather finicky. Also, with the bandwith limits set by Hughes I am not sure how it would work. The latency may pose a problem.

[RonP]

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

I just like listening to the radio commercials. I would try OOMA but I signed for Comcast triple play for 2 years.

Sure would be nice to have Comcast Triple Play available to residents of Alton Bay !!

[mcdude]

from Today's Citizen

Cell tower dispute nearing an end
Alton:
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
The Selectmen have reached a tentative agreement with the cell tower companies that want to build a tower on Miramichie Hill, but the attorney for abutter David Slade said his client isn't ready to sign on.

On March 3, selectmen agreed with Industrial Communication and Electronic, Inc. and two cell companies, RCC Atlantic [d.b.a. Unicel] and USCOC [d.b.a. U.S. Cellular], that a 100-foot tower could be built on the property at 486 East Side Drive.

As part of the agreement, the town also agreed that there would be "no just cause for further delay" and that the decision of the Alton Zoning Board of Adjustment on March 13, 2007 to deny the applicant's request for a height variance of 120 feet is meaningless.

The parties agree..." that further meetings, hearings or decisions of the Zoning Board of Adjustment would serve no useful purpose..." read the consent decree that has not been signed by a federal judge.

Slade lives next door and his family has owned the abutting property since 1953. Late last year, he successfully petitioned the court to intervene and his lawyer Paul Fitzgerald said he doesn't think the project can go forward without his client's agreement.

When he filed his petition to join the suit, Slade said the town of Alton, like so many other small towns, has waged a David-vs. Goliath-type battle against the deep-pocketed cell tower companies.

As of Oct 2009, Alton taxpayers had spent $181,000 in legal fees trying to uphold the Zoning Board's decision.

When the property was first identified as a site, it was not in one of the four areas designated by Alton's zoning ordinances that would be acceptable for cell towers.

In March of 2006, voters adopted new zoning ordinances that allow cell towers to be erected but restricted their height to 10 feet above the average tree canopy. The proposed ICE tower was initially 120 feet, or 61 feet above the tree canopy, and still required a variance.

Should the judgment and order be signed, the Zoning Board's denial of a variance for a 120-foot tower is vacated and amended to modify to grant the height variance to 100 feet with a full antenna array on the top so the entire structure is no more that 103 feet.

The agreement also stipulated that after five years the height of the tower may be extended provided the applicants received a variance from the Zoning Board.

The agreement further stipulates that ICE will submit revised plans and the Planning Board shall not act to reduce the maximum height of the tower or the antenna or seek to change the configuration as submitted by the applicant on June 19, 2006.

Fitzgerald said the court has given some time for his client to file a memorandum as to why he opposes the agreement.

Selectman Pat Fuller said that until a judge actually signs the order, she cannot comment.

Zoning Board Chair Paul Monzione said overall he had been very impressed with the Alton ZBA consistently applying the zoning laws, but said this could be a rare instance when complicated issues of federal law "can overwhelm and are inconsistent with local law."

Sometimes settlements are in the best interests of the town, Monzione said, adding that although he hasn't read the proposed order it appears the town's zoning laws will remain intact.

[RLW]

Originally Posted by RonP

Sure would be nice to have Comcast Triple Play available to residents of Alton Bay !!

You do, but it is under the name of MetroCast.

[Argie's Wife]

Originally Posted by RonP

Sure would be nice to have Comcast Triple Play available to residents of Alton Bay !!

Yes - the Metrocast 3-in-1 package is available as of February. Call them for more information and to get it installed. YEA!

[Sunbeam lodge]

Originally Posted by webmaster

You all should really consider using OOMA if you have cable or DSL Internet service. OOMA is even better than the cable company's own phone services and it is free after you buy the box. You'll never get another phone bill. A year ago it cost $209 on Amazon. In most cases you can transfer your existing number over for a small fee. I transferred mine from Verizon without trouble. You get voice mail (that you can also check on the Internet), caller ID and all the features you are used to.

Someone mentioned it here about a year ago and I bought one. It paid for itself in less than 3 months and we've been phone bill free ever since. I figure we've saved over $500 so far. It works flawlessly except the few times that our Internet service went out. Even then calls still go to voicemail.

One of my favorite things about OOMA is that it uses all your existing phones and wiring. You just disconnect your wiring where it comes in, plug the OOMA into a wall jack, and all your phones, answering machines, faxes, etc. just work.

OOMA has a premium service that gives you even more capabilities but the free service works great for me. I highly recommend OOMA.

This sure sounds like something I could use.
I have a home on the lake and in Florida and currently have land line phones in both locations In addition to 2 mobile phones.
When i leave for the winter I either have to shut down the phones and pay to have them reinstalled when I return or put them on a vacation plan that is not too expensive but by the time they add all the fees it adds up.
I then have to do the same thing when I return.
I also have to do the same thing with the TV and internet.
There has to be a better way to do this. Would I need a separate unit for FLa?

Any one have any ideas

[RLW]

Originally Posted by Sunbeam lodge

There has to be a better way to do this. Would I need a separate unit for FLa?

Any one have any ideas

Yep, I have just one. Stay at the lake all year round and then you do not have all the connecting/dis-connecting fees.

[webmaster]

Originally Posted by Sunbeam lodge

Would I need a separate unit for FLa?

No, I'm pretty sure you could take the box back and forth with you. It's small and once it's set up would just need to be plugged in to power, internet and a wall jack. It should work anywhere on the Internet.

The only small problem could be the Enhanced 911 listing. If I remember correctly, you can select to have your number associated with your address for the 911 system when you register your OOMA. If you were going to move the box around you should probably not use the 911 listing.

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by Sunbeam lodge

This sure sounds like something I could use.
I have a home on the lake and in Florida and currently have land line phones in both locations In addition to 2 mobile phones.
When i leave for the winter I either have to shut down the phones and pay to have them reinstalled when I return or put them on a vacation plan that is not too expensive but by the time they add all the fees it adds up.
I then have to do the same thing when I return.
I also have to do the same thing with the TV and internet.
There has to be a better way to do this. Would I need a separate unit for FLa?

Any one have any ideas

Internet connection is internet connection, and I would not think that your change in location would have an effect, other than having to change your IP address with OOMA. One thing to remember is that if you are portaging your number, and friends are calling you from a landline without unlimited long distance calling, if your number is NH and you are in FL, those FL friends will be paying long distance to call you, and vice versa. We have friends that had NH cell phones, and when the moved down south, they kept the phones. Friends down there were getting long distance charges for a call from across the street.

[webmaster]

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

those FL friends will be paying long distance to call you, and vice versa.(

True, except for the vice versa. There are never any long distance charges for calls you make using OOMA.

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by webmaster

True, except for the vice versa. There are never any long distance charges for calls you make using OOMA.

I should have continued on after viceversa... if in NH with a FL number, folks up here would be long distance. my bad.

[Gearhead]

Are we EVER going to get a cell tower in East Alton??? In a month or two the leaves will begin to open and I will once again lose my cell service. Grrr! I think there's only one person in the whole town against it.

[Merrymeeting]

The following headline was in this weeks Baysider. Full story on page 14

AT&T expanding coverage in Alton, New Durham

REGION — AT&T announced the expansion of its
mobile broadband network
in New Hampshire

The story doesn't have any details on when, how, or exactly where. Does anyone know?

[winniforlife]

Oh how I would love to have ATT service in West Alton... to use my iphone at the Marine would be wonderful!! Thanks for the update!

[upthesaukee]

http://www.wireless.att.com/coverageviewer/#?type=voice


for location, put in "sthy 11" and Alton Bay 03810. You can navigate the map using the arrows and see your "coverage".

Good luck. Great Marina, lousy cell coverage.

[Merrymeeting]

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

http://www.wireless.att.com/coverageviewer/#?type=voice


for location, put in "sthy 11" and Alton Bay 03810. You can navigate the map using the arrows and see your "coverage".

Good luck. Great Marina, lousy cell coverage.

Good info. But that shows what is in place now. Not what is planned.

[mcdude]

From the 6/2 Baysider

Another cell tower ruling

This ruling nullifies prior approvals

BY TIM CROES

Staff Writer

ALTON — A decision was handed down by the First Circuit Court of Appeals on
May 19 on the proposed cell phone tower in Alton that nullifies the prior local and
court approvals that would have allowed the construction of the tower at 486 East
Side Drive. The case has been in the court system since 2005, when Industrial Communications and Electronics, Inc. proposed a tower in Alton for two wireless companies. David and Marilyn Slade, whose property abuts the proposed tower, objected to the construction of the tower because it would stand in line of the panoramic view of the lake and the surrounding mountains. The company determined that the tower would need to be 120 feet above the ground and applied for a variance to the zoning board of adjustments and were denied.
The company then sued the town. The town then began to negotiate a settlement
with Industrial Communications and the co-plaintiffs, the wireless companies,
which the Slades opposed. An agreement was made between the company and the
town to vacate the board’s decision and permit a 100-foot tower without further meetings. The ruling on May 19 allows for the Slades to continue the suit even though an agreement between Industrial Communications and its co-plaintiffs and the town was reached.

[Argie's Wife]

Am I understanding this correctly that the construction of the town can't begin until the lawsuit with Mr. Slade has been resolved?

[Gearhead]

I have NO coverage at my home on the east side. Will aluminum foil and an umbrella work?

Maybe I'll call Mr. Slade and ask if he gets reception at HIS house. Oh wait- he lives in New Jersey!

[fatlazyless]

Originally Posted by Argie's Wife

Am I understanding this correctly that the construction of the town can't begin until the lawsuit with Mr. Slade has been resolved?

Most likely, that's a typo and should say "construction of the tower can't begin," and yes, that reads to be the case here.

So, three cheers for the Slades and they did a big legal service to everyone in the area who did not want an ugly cell phone tower intruding into their big view. Way-to-go Mr Slade!

If you need to make a phone call, then go use the local pay phone!

[PapaDon]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

If you need to make a phone call, then go use the local pay phone!

Have you noticed that there are very few pay phones left? If you do find one, you'll be lucky if it works. The last booth I found (next to the laundromat near Patrick's Pub in Gilford) had no phone, just wires sticking out. It's hard to find one, even harder to find a working one.

[trfour]

Yup. Kinda looks like Ma'cell phone took the market over lately! The local pay phone has gone the way of the dinosaur.

I would bet though that FLL has a few quarters left!...... Over.

Terry
______________________

[fatlazyless]

The Town of Center Harbor has a working Fairpoint payphone right near the tennis courts and softball field that's attached to a utility shed which has got to get very little use. Surprisingly and on the opposite end of the frequency of payphone use, someone at either the Gilford Wal-Mart or the landlord of the property made a business decision to have the two payphones right next to the Wal-Mart entrance removed, so all that's left are the unused mounting plates. That seems crazy. There's probably still lots of folks who like to get a quick quote on a stock price who cannot afford or want a cell phone.

[mcdude]

From the Baysider

Cell Tower Issue Appears Resolved
Planners

approve
amended
site plan

BY TIM CROES

Staff Writer

ALTON — The Alton Planning
Board met for three
hours on Tuesday, Nov. 20,
and may have finally resolved
the cell phone tower
issue on East Side Drive.
A proposal was brought
forward by Industrial Communications
and Electronics,
Inc., Unicel and U.S. Cellular
to request for an amended
site plan to be able to secure
an alternative access to
the approved cell tower site
on property located on Bowman
Road.
The company requested
that a pair of waivers be approved
for the project pertaining
to landscaping and
the location of buildings,and
both these waivers were approved.
A letter was read into the
record from David Slade that
stated that he would not appeal
the decision of the Federal
Court ordering a tower
to be built at East Side Drive
at a height of 100 feet.
The board approved the

amended site plan with several

conditions precedent

and several subsequent conditions

Cost David Slade BIG BUCKS to fight this and appears that he lost?...or were concessions made?

[CateP]

Funny there is so much concern over cell towers and not so much about the clear cutting that went on over there.

[mcdude]

Baysider 1/10/13

Company expects cell tower
to be up by spring

BY TIM CROES
STAFF WRITER

ALTON — In November,
the Alton Planning Board
reviewed the case of the
proposed cell phone tower
for hopefully the final time.
The multi-year battle for
the construction of this cell
phone tower has gone in
front in many different
courts and has been appealed
many times by the
different parties, but hopefully
now the tower will be
constructed and the many
holes in the cell phone service
in Alton will be closed.
The cell phone tower was
first proposed by Industrial
Communications in September
2005 to be constructed
at 486 East Side Drive.
In reviewing the case, the
planning board received a
letter from David Slade saying
that he was no longer going
to object to the construction
of the cell phone
tower in Alton, with plans
for the access road to now
be located on Jude Hill
Road.
According to Kevin Delaney,
an Engineering and
Regulatory Compliance
Manager, at Industrial Communications,
there is some
simple paperwork that
needs to be completed, including
getting a building
permit approved before the
company can start constructing
the tower.
Delaney said that he
hopes that the project will
start within the next month,
and the first step will be
clearing a 100-foot by 100-
foot where the tower will be
constructed.
Delaney is hopeful that
the tower will be up and
running by this spring. According
to Delaney, the companies
that will be utilizing
the new cell phone tower
will include Verizon, U.S.

Cellular and AT&T.

[Belmont Resident]

Originally Posted by mcdude

Baysider 1/10/13

I noticed there was a thumbs down on the original post, just curious as to why.
Whenever I'm in the Alton area I'm always wishing I had better service.
28 between Alton and Wolfeboro has a lot of dead zones.