Antennae Meet Opposition in Chilmark, Edgartown

Nstar officials hoping to place a dispatching transmitter for their repair crews on one of the highest points on Martha's Vineyard were disappointed after a recent Chilmark selectmen's meeting.

Town counsel Ron Rappaport advised selectmen that by law, communications equipment on Peaked Hill can be used for "non-commercial public safety purposes only."

In order for the utility to add new equipment on Peaked Hill, which already hosts antennae and repeaters for the town's emergency services and the Coast Guard, Chilmark voters would need to approve a home rule petition to the state legislature for a special act allowing the change.

Given that there had been a "lively debate in the town" before voters agreed to add the Coast Guard equipment, selectman Warren Doty said, NStar's plan would also ignite a debate.

Selectmen denied the request.

In Edgartown, wireless antennae approved by selectmen for a Katama farm silo are now being opposed by neighboring landowners who have sued the town, according to a report in the Martha's Vineyard Times.

The plaintiffs say the antennae would reduce the value of their $2.3 million property.

At hearings earlier this year, before the Edgartown selectmen unanimously approved the installation, some members of the public expressed concern about the health effects of wireless antennae, according to the Times.

Do you agree with these concerns? Do you think the neighbors' lawsuit is justified? Should Edgartown take a second look at the antennae? Tell us in the comments.

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