AT&T Seeks Permanent Cell Tower at Transfer Station

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — AT&T plans to replace a temporary cell tower with a permanent one on the Casella property.

The Zoning Board of Appeals supported variances and a special permit to facilitate a permanent wireless monopole facility at 500 Hubbard Ave., where Casella Waste Systems operates a transfer station.

Blueprints show the permanent, 111-foot tower next to the temporary tower's current location. The wireless company leases the space.

"It is pretty much buried behind the Casella property. It's hardly visible from the street except for the height of the pole, which I think people are used to at this point in time," board member Thomas Goggins said at the Wednesday meeting.

"I think the applicant and the review have been thorough both on the consultant's part, the city's part, and of course the applicant so I think it satisfies the needs for communication for the community."

Casella purchased the former waste transfer facility from Community Eco Power LLC, which filed for bankruptcy in 2021, and demolished it for redevelopment. AT&T's wireless facility was on a smokestack atop the building and had to be relocated to a temporary, free-standing structure.

"In light of the redevelopment plans for the Site, AT&T has separately requested that the Board extend the timeframe for the temporary wireless facility," the application states.

"This Application seeks the Board's approval for the permanent Facility. Of course, upon commencement of operations at the Facility, AT&T will remove the existing temporary wireless facility."

The previously granted variance expired in July and the cellular company asks that it be permitted until July 31, 2025, claiming that due diligence for the permanent facility has taken significantly longer than anticipated.

23 Years Later, Berkshire Communities Remember 9/11

By Brittany Polito & Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:28PM / Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Dalton officials are joined by police, firefighters and community members at Sept. 11 observances outside Town Hall on Tuesday.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Around 50 people gathered in Veterans Memorial Park to mark the 23rd anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, when attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon left nearly 3,000 people dead, thousands wounded, and launched two of the nation's longest wars.

 

Mayor Peter Marchetti described it as "a day that most of us would probably like to forget." When he woke up this morning, the clear skies and sunshine eerily reminded him of the weather on that tragic day. 

 

"There's been a number of these years that the weather is almost exactly the same to remind us of that treacherous day that we all were surprised," he added. 

 

"You know, growing up in this generation, knowing all of the folks that say, 'Do you remember where you were when President Kennedy was shot?' Now my generation has 'Do you remember where you were on September 11, 2001?'" 

 

Five Berkshire County soldiers lost their lives in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars: Sgt. 1st Class Daniel H. Petithory, 32, of Cheshire; Spc. Michael R. DeMarsico II, 20, of North Adams; and Spc. Mitchell K. Daehling, 24, of Dalton, all in Afghanistan; and Sgt. Glenn R. Allison, 24, of Pittsfield, and Chief Warrant Officer Stephen M. Wells, 29, of North Egremont, in Iraq.

 

The ceremony took place around the city's Iraq and Afghanistan War Memorial, dedicated four years ago to honor the men and others lost. A time capsule was buried at the monument with items that were provided by their family members and will be opened in 2101.

 

Brian Willette, commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and an Army veteran, said it is "our first duty to remember and to never allow the public or even ourselves to forget the significance of today and what happened next."