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Land Trust, Cell Tower Firm Seek Common Ground

April 15, 2009 - WATERBORO -- Taken at face value, people who want to conserve land and those who want to build communications towers on it should be at odds.

But that is not the case in Waterboro, where members of the recently formed Waterboro Land Trust are about to sit down with representatives from a company that wants to build a communications tower on land promised to the trust by the town. The land trust isn’t against erecting a tower on the mountain, but it needs to find out more about the project before agreeing to sign off, according to Doug Foglio, land trust president.

Mariner Tower II, LLC of Kennebunkport asked the town in February about leasing a quarter-acre of land – a parcel about 100 by 100 feet in area – on Ossipee Mountain, off Mountain Road, to build a tower on 100 acres of town-owned land. AT & T and T-Mobile are interested in leasing space on the tower, according to Christopher F. Ciolfi, chief development officer for Mariner Tower.The Waterboro Land Trust seeks to acquire that same parcel.

Whether the two groups can come to an agreement remains to be seen.

The town stands to gain $250,000 through the 10-year life of the proposed lease. Meanwhile, acquisition by the trust would give the nonprofit land conservation group its first parcel – and some credibility for its mission to attract donors of privately owned land.

Foglio told selectment March 31 that trust members haven’t studied the proposal at length, but felt what the communications company wants to do is in conflict with the trust’s aims. However, he said. “We’ve got an open mind.”

There are concerns about where power would run to the tower and road work that needs to be done to make the site accessible. Foglio also questioned whether a switchback road would have to be built. Concerns about potential erosion and overall aesthetics were also raised.

Foglio said the quarter acre Mariner planned to use for the tower isn’t enough.

“It should be consistent with other towers,” Foglio said, which require a “fall zone” of 1½ times the length of the tower in case it falls or has to be dismantled.

A longtime experienced excavator, Foglio said detailed topographical maps with overlays of the proposed tower site, roads and power lines are needed to provide more information about the terrain and lay of the land.

“At that point we could all sit down together and make a decision,” he said.

Ciolfi, also at the selectmen's meeting, replied, “I think it can be a win-win situation for everyone.”

Ciolfi said Foglio’s concerns can be “easily overcome.” The company may be able to access the property through a drive already in place, he said.

The communications tower should not interfere at all with hiking and other planned recreational opportunities.

“Don’t think we’re opposed to it, we’re not,” Foglio said several times to Ciolfi and the board.

Selectmen decided to appoint planner Tom Ursia to facilitate discussions between the two groups, with a goal of meeting in May to hear the results.

Ursia said he will work with engineers from Mariner and use a checklist of concerns from the land trust.

“I can’t imagine any big obstacle to overcome,” said Selectwomen Cindy Moore. “I think we should pursue it.”

By Ann Fisher
Reporter – The Reporter , April 9, 2009


Lakes:
Regions: Sanford


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