Proposed Cell Tower Will Impact Property Values, Residents Say

Can you hear me now?

Some Schooley’s Mountain residents say they’re hearing just fine.

And that’s why a group of neighbors has come together to fight Sprint and Centenary College on a proposed cellular tower to be built on the school’s equestrian campus on Califon Road.

Ever since Joe Poluhovich received a letter in the mail jointly composed by the telephone company and college, he’s been fighting against the proposed tower.

Sprint is looking to erect a 171-foot cellular tower on a 5-acre parcel of land owned by Centenary College. First it must receive two variance approvals from the township: one for the height, which eclipses the town’s minimum; and another for setback, as the tower’s initial location is not more than 1,000 feet from the nearest property.

“If you don’t live near it, you probably want it,” Poluhovich told Patch. “But for us, it’s going to hurt our property values.”

The town spent some $450,000 in 2001 to preserve the land on which Centenary’s facility is located – all except for five buildable acres, Poluhovich said.

“The facility’s lights are on at all hours of the night, there’s lots of traffic, noise, and so on during events there,” Poluhovich said. “But we know about that and live with it. Adding a tower, though, isn’t going to help.”

Poluhovich, a Washington Township resident of 21 years, has lived directly across from the facility for nearly seven years. Poluhovich and three of his closest neighbors have pitched in to buy signs, which line the streets in the area, asking residents to say no to the proposed tower. He also built a website called fightthecelltower.com with information about the situation and objections to the proposal.

One of his neighbors is Centenary College president Barbara Jayne-Lewthwaite. While Poluhovich says the two property owners have always been cordial, they’ve yet to discuss the cellular tower situation.

Aside from hurting property values, Poluhovich says the tower will be an eye sore and, while not scientifically proven, gives the perception of causing increased health problems.

Poluhovich said when he attempted selling his first home in Washington Township, prospective buyers left the house tour when they learned there were high-voltage power lines some 200 yards to the rear of the property.

According to antennasearch.com, there are currently nine towers with 46 antennae within four miles of the equestrian facility. A tower was built in the rear of the Washington Township Police Department at the end of 2012.

Sprint’s next appearance before the zoning board was originally scheduled for Dec. 4, but the applicant has canceled, according to planning and zoning secretary Barbara Margolese.

Margolese also said the applicant is considering moving the tower somewhere else within the property, but has not heard back from the company’s attorney with details.

Do you think the town should allow the cellular tower to be built atop Schooley’s Mountain?