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Temporary Cell Tower to Rise at Westbrook Water Tank Site

A Dec. 7 decision of the Connecticut Siting Council ruled in favor of MCM Communications’ petition to install a temporary 163-foot high monopole tower for various antennae and communications equipment at 1542 Boston Post Road. This equipment is currently attached to the aging Connecticut Water Company (CWC) water tower located on the same 0.24 acre parcel as the future temporary communications tower. The land is owned by CWC.

The CWC water storage tank structure rises to 121 feet above the street level. The new temporary communications tower will be higher at 163 feet.

CWC recently announced plans to dismantle the existing water tank because it is too small and its condition is poor. Before the tank demolition can begin, however, the communications equipment attached to it must be relocated to avoid disrupting mobile service and emergency responder radio communications.

Once the temporary tower is in place, the antennae and communications equipment will be moved from the water tank onto the new tower. Then the water tank can be dismantled by CWC.

The Siting Council ruling gives MCM and CWC 18 months to construct a new temporary tower, relocate the communications equipment, and dismantle the existing water tank.

Despite an alternative tower site proposed by Water’s Edge, the Siting Council ruled in favor of MCM Communication’s petition to put the temporary tower next to CWC’s existing water storage tank on the CWC-owned land.