[MassHistPres] Section 106 Monopole in Middlesex Fells

[Elizabeth Ware]

Marcia,
Having a degree in historic preservation from BU and having worked in the telecom industry for over five years, I'd suggest the following:

1.  confirm that there is a gap in service and that the pole needs to be there.  Also ask what other sites were viewed as options.  For example the old Stoneham hospital across Spot Pond has a couple of high portions of building that could accommodate flush mount antennae, therefore not requiring a pole.  Also, there is a large water tank on the western side of R93 South, located on the top of Bear Hill Trail.  It's very common to put telecom antennae on water tanks, thus eliminating the need for a pole.  
2.  Really push to confirm the required height.  120 feet or 150 feet..........big difference.  (I had RF engineers state they needed 180 foot towers when 120 foot would do....but would minimize colocation.);
3.  If the pole needs to be there, keep it a simple pole;
4. paint the pole a blue gray which is the best color for these types of facilities;
5. insure that at least one or two other carriers can collocate in the pole.

Many years ago I permitted a simple pole that was about 120-150 feet on Route 101 in Bedford, NH.  It was just outside the historic district and I demanded that the antennae of the carriers be contained within the pole (At that time it was called a three sector Susan configuration.???)
Before it was installed, we did crane and balloon tests.  While it was in the trees, it still was noticed.  The pole was approved by everyone, included the NH Division of Historic Resources.

Another site was on Route 101 in Raymond, NH.  There's a "brown stick" which sits on top of a hill overlooking Route 101.  You have to really hunt to find it.

There is a misnomer that "trees" are somewhat better and "blend in."  The 180' trees are a joke and most importantly, there is more impact on the ground as the foundations have to be double to triple the size of a standard monopole due to the wind resistance of the "branches".
I've never installed a telecom tree and never intend to.

Hope this information is helpful and best wishes on this project.  It is not clear to me why DCR did not reach out to discuss this project with area communities prior to issuing a RFP for the project (which they would be required to do under state procurement laws).  Historian Patrice Kish at DCR may be helpful in trying to mitigate any negative impacts or may be able to offer better explanations of the situation.

Betsy Ware

Director of Community Development
Town of Dracut, Ma.
Telephone: 978-453-4557


-----Original Message-----
From: MassHistPres [mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu] On Behalf Of mmwe at mmwe.cnc.net
Sent: Monday, June 10, 2019 5:19 PM
To: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu
Cc: mmw at copper.net
Subject: [MassHistPres] Section 106 Monopole in Middlesex Fells

ISO of comments on how to respond to Section 106 letter regarding placement of 120' monopole by Sprint in the Middlesex Fells Reservation.

The Middlesex Fells Reservation contains several thousand acres of woodland, wetland, and watershed, protected from development and open to the public. It was pieced together from a wild, rocky landscape previously exploited for its natural resources: pasture, timber, granite, gravel, waterpower, water, and ice.
Beginning as early as 1869, Elizur Wright and other local residents began lobbying for the preservation of the Fells. When the Trustees of Reservations was created in 1891, its first gift of property was Virginia Wood in the Fells. In 1894, the newly formed MPC acquired 450 acres to create the Middlesex Fells Reservation. By 1897, the Reservation had grown to more than 3,000 acres.

The 120' monopole is planned for a small vacant spot of land belonging to DCR just west of I-93 South. Spot Pond, so named by Governor Winthrop in 1632, is on the east side of I-93 North. We've asked for a view shed analysis but fully expect the monopole will be visible from the far coast of Spot Pond and Woodland Road that encircles its shoreline as well as three reservoirs to the west.

Marcia M Wengen, Co-hair
Stoneham Historical Commission
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