 Pittsfield Board of Health Considers SubcommitteesLast week, the board's newest member, Dr. Jeffrey Leppo, a cardiologist, suggested the implementation of subcommittees for topics such as housing, opioid settlement, RF radiation, and community health.  Shacktown Residents File Suit Against Pittsfield Over Cell TowerResidents of the Shacktown neighborhood have filed litigation against the city after its cease and desist order for the Verizon cell tower at 877 South St. was rescinded.  Pittsfield City Council Puts Verizon Cell Tower Litigation to RestThe City Council has put the possibility of litigation against Verizon over the cell tower at 877 South St. to rest. On Tuesday, the panel voted to file a petition that requested $84,000 of city funds to hire legal counsel against the telecommunications company. Pittsfield Health Board Rescinds Verizon Cease & Desist OrderChair Bobbie Orsi said litigation is not the solution right now. Instead, the panel will pursue collaborative discussions to address the issue.  Verizon Asks U.S. Court for Judgment Against Pittsfield Health BoardThe City Council was to take up a request from the Board of Health on Tuesday for $84,000 to hire legal counsel against the telecommunications company but this was sidelined when the council was informed of the lawsuit.  Pittsfield City Council to Decide $84K for Cell Tower AttorneyThe Board of Health is requesting $84,000 from the city for legal counsel to shut down a Verizon cell tower at 877 South St. Pittsfield Health Board Seeking Funds to Stop Cell TowerThis vote was conditioned on the order being withdrawn without prejudice if the board is unable to retain legal counsel prior to any administrative or judicial proceeding. Pittsfield Board of Health Continues Push to Remove Verizon Cell TowerThe board last week interviewed one of two potential attorneys to assist with a cease and desist order that was approved in early February.  Pittsfield Health Board Ordering Verizon to Remove Cell TowerIt will be held in abeyance for seven days and if the wireless provider does not agree to have a meeting with the board and demonstrate a desire to cooperate to the board's satisfaction, it will go into effect. Pittsfield Health Board to Make Action Plan for Cell TowerThe chair sees two possible options: an emergency stop order or an executive order to cease and desist or a negotiated settlement between the cellular company, the city, and affected parties.  Pittsfield Board of Health to Conduct Cell Tower Abutter QuestionnaireThe Board of Health plans to conduct a questionnaire to quantify any symptoms that residents near the South Street cell tower say they are experiencing.  New Cell Tower Erected in WilliamstownFour months after getting the green light from the Zoning Board of Appeals, a new wireless communications tower is ready to accept antennae.  Pittsfield Council to Send AG Letter About South St. Cell TowerThe City Council on Tuesday voted to send a letter to Attorney General Maura Healey requesting an investigation on the permitting process for the Verizon cell tower at 877 South St.  Farley-Bouvier Cites Pittsfield Cell Tower in State Legislative HearingA local resident's fight against the installation of a 115-foot cell tower off South Street was referenced on Beacon Hill on Monday during testimony on two bills relating to health and wireless transmissions.  Citizens Group Protests Cell Antennas on Lenox's Curtis BuildingA demonstration hosted by the Lenox Citizens for Safe Cell Siting Group highlighted its concerns this past weekend with placing a cell antennas on top of the Housing Authority's subsidized housing facility, the Curtis.  Pittsfield City Council Increases Abutter Zoning NotificationsA group of residents neighboring the cell tower celebrated Tuesday some movement on zoning changes they have advocated for over the past year.  Williamstown Zoning Board OKs Cell TowerBy a vote of 5-0, the Zoning Board of Appeals on Thursday approved a special permit for Pittfield's Evolution Site Services to build a 153-foot cell tower on land leased from Phelps Farm.  Pittsfield Health Officials to Contact Verizon About South Street Cell TowerThe Board of Health has agreed to begin a dialogue with Verizon Wireless about health concerns related to a controversial cell tower at 877 South St.  Williamstown ZBA Asks Cell Tower Developer to Lower HeightThe board spent two hours discussing an application for a special permit from Pittsfield's Evolution Site Services. In the end, the ZBA opted to continue the public hearing to a fourth meeting in hopes that Christopher Ciolfi can design a tower that is as short as possible and that allows for possible expansion if needed in the future.  Pittsfield Residents, Officials Frustrated With Cell Tower Action PlanThe tower was erected in August 2020 and has since driven large amounts of public comment in the open microphone segment of City Council meetings.  Pittsfield Health Board Sets Cell Tower Forum Without DPH AidLocal health officials are "disappointed" with the state Department of Health for backing out of an investigation of health concerns related to a Verizon cell tower at 877 South St.  Williamstown Zoning Board Contemplates Cost of Denying Cell Tower PermitDozens of residents in the neighborhood of a proposed cell tower have addressed the Zoning Board of Appeals asking it to block the project.  Pittsfield Health Board to Hold Cell-Tower Forum With Mass DPHLocal health officials are supporting the investigation of concerns related to a 115-foot Verizon cell tower at 877 South St. in a two-part plan.  Pittsfield Council Wants Update on Cell Tower Health ConcernsThe council on Tuesday unanimously requested an update by April 13 on the investigation of health concerns from residents that neighbor the 877 South St. cell tower.  Williamstown ZBA Hearing Another Application to Build Cell TowerPittsfield's Evolution Site Services is seeking a special permit to erect a 165-foot tall, self-supported lattice tower on a parcel owned by the Phelps family neighboring the campus of the Mount Greylock Regional School. |
