After years of elaborate legal battling, the final judicial approvals for a cell tower may be imminent in Freehold Township. The legal clock on life support is in the final hours.
The telecommunications industry has legal entitlement over local families and home protection; cell coverage is regarded as an inherent public good.
Since 2009, Freehold Township residents and township officials have been mutually opposed to the building of a cell tower on residential property. If authorized, children and families will have a cell tower facility in close proximity, while sleeping in their beds.
There is a substantial list of negative conditions detrimental to the public good. The families look out their windows with anxiety.
Neighborhood apprehensions include property line setbacks, diesel fuel tanks, impervious surfaces, noise, emissions, fire, visual impacts, loss of real estate value, emerging health uncertainties, watershed encroachment, well water impact, collapse clearances, master plan destruction, flora and fauna impact, and sediment and soil erosion.
This is not a selfish “not in my backyard” (NIMBY) case. Telecom giants are encroaching on homes and this sets a precedent. This cell tower will cast a long dark judicial shadow. The shadow encroaches on real people.
Voltaire said, “Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.”
Joseph J. Ferdinando
Freehold Township
