Armory Cell Tower, The Battle Begins

T-Mobile is seeking to erect a cell tower on the state owned property of the Westfield Armory.  Anyone with a cell phone, which in these days is almost everyone, can attest to the fact that cell phone reception interruption can be frustrating.  Has one of your cell phone conversations been dropped due to poor reception?  Cell phone reception could be improved with a 150 ft. cell tower constructed on Armory property.   Where is the compromise, if any?  Are we willing to sacrifice the unknown health risks for better cell phone reception?  What does a cell phone tower do to property values within the vicinity of the Armory on Rahway Ave.?  Some say that the NIMBY’s have strong-armed the issue by gaining support of local and state politicians pushing for state agencies and legislation to derail the project.  Others agree with local residents surrounding the Armory that “quality of life issues” have to be considered.  Drive around the Armory's surrounding streets and you'll find signs on most front yards indicating a residents opposition to the cell tower.  A website dedicated to stopping the cell tower construction has been established at http://www.westfieldstopthetower.com/  Regardless of which side of the fence you are standing on, the facts of the matter and questions are:

1. Cell phone reception is poor in and around the proposed cell tower location.
2. Unknown health risks have to be considered.
3. Overall “quality of life” issues are impacted.
4. Where, if any, is there a suitable location for a cell tower to improve service in this area?
5. What would happen to the cell tower (if built) if the state were to sell the property of the Armory in the future?