Page 6 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • September 25, 2013 Mahwah Planning board gives nod to new monopole by Frank J. McMahon The Mahwah Planning Board has approved the location of a new monopole in the township. The board recently approved plans by Internet Services Telco, LLC, informally known as Telco, to construct an 80- foot high communications tower with an associated equip- ment compound on a 1.1-acre irregularly-shaped vacant lot where North Central Avenue meets Route 17 South. According to Telco attorney Michael Lavigne, the monopole will contain four dish antennas for microwave data communications linking different data communica- tions centers, such as the ones in Secaucus and Weehawken and the one adjacent to this site. A six-foot high equip- ment cabinet will be located on a concrete slab that will be fenced. David Dobson, an expert in designing microwave net- work facilities used by the financial exchanges, advised the board that microwave technology can transmit data faster than fiber optic cables, which is important for the transmis- sion of time-sensitive information. He explained that the dish antennas are used because the distance of the signal is more important than coverage, as is the case with cellular communications antennas. He added that the frequencies used by the dish antennas have all been licensed by the Fed- eral Communications Commission. According to Dobson, the monopole will use high fre- quency microwaves, so it can be shorter than other mono- poles, but he said Telco will permit either microwave or wireless co-locators on the monopole, which can be extended as long as the rigidity of the monopole is main- tained. David Collins, a radio frequency expert, described the low level of microwave emission from this monopole. He told the board his analysis indicates that emission will be 1,700 times below the maximum level permitted by the FCC and 8,300 times below the maximum permitted by New Jersey. Chad Schwartz, a professional engineer hired by Telco to design the site plan for the monopole location, told the board the equipment cabinet will measure 16 feet by 20 feet and will have a seven-foot high fence. There will be a gravel driveway access with a parking area so technicians, who may visit the site once a month, can park off the street, and the monopole will not have any climbing pegs. Schwartz noted that a small stream crosses the property at its southern end, but he will provide certification that the location of the monopole is outside the wetlands delin- eated area, and no permit is required from the Highlands Council. He confirmed that there will be no significant storm water runoff from the monopole; there will be no lighting at the site, except for one on the grade-level cabinet; there will be no generator or air conditioner and no change in the ambient noise level at the site; and there will be no sig- nage, except for one on the cabinet or fence to identify the owner. Schwartz said there is a natural buffer of trees surround- ing the site, but landscaping will be provided. Plans call for eight-foot high arborvitae around the compound. In addi- tion, all the plans for the monopole location will be submit- ted for the approval of the township’s building department. Asked about co-locators, Schwartz said the foundation of the monopole will be sized for an overload and the mono- pole will be over designed for wind speed and will be easy to extend in the future. Professional Planner Paul Ricci advised the board that he agrees with the township’s planner that the plans for the monopole comply with the conditional use standards of this B-40 business zone. He said the monopole is a passive use that will not create any traffic and the canopy of trees that are 50 to 65 feet high will obscure most of the monopole. “All in all, the ordinance works well with this applica- tion,” Ricci said, adding that even if a use variance were needed a good case could be made for it. When asking for the board’s approval, Lavigne empha- sized that the township’s ordinance anticipates this type of use and he is pleased that his client can comply with the ordinance. There were no questions or comments from members of the public, and the board voted unanimously, with one abstention, to approve the application.