East Lyme – AT&T has filed a petition with the state Siting Council to build an 85-foot temporary cell tower on land off Ancient Highway and has also posted a public notice proposing to construct a permanent 175-foot cell tower there.

The petition filed by New Cingular Wireless seeks a declaratory ruling from the Siting Council that it won't need a certificate of environmental compatibility and public need to install the temporary tower.

The temporary tower would provide wireless service coverage until AT&T finds a permanent replacement for an existing 150-foot cell tower off Scott Road, according to the petition. AT&T's agreement for the land will expire at the end of the year, and the company anticipates beginning to remove the existing tower in June.

Though the Siting Council holds decision-making authority over cell tower proposals, the town will hold a public information session on the proposals at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Town Hall.

AT&T states in the petition that the license agreement with Ancient Highway Towers, a limited liability company, on land owned by John Drabik, allows the company to use the site for its temporary tower and "otherwise coordinate an application for a permanent tower site relocation" there. The petition also said that AT&T has identified another potential site, unnamed within the application, for a permanent tower. 

The temporary tower, with three AT&T antennas, as well as three antennas for T-Mobile, is proposed for a wooded, undeveloped 12.86-acre site comprising two lots. The tower would be on the first lot, close to the second lot line.

The ballast structure includes a 30-foot-by-51-foot fenced gravel compound and a gravel access drive from Ancient Highway, the petition states.

An agent for Ancient Highway Towers, Garon Camassar, said he could not comment.

"Our temporary tower is designed to ensure our customers have the quality service they expect from us as we work towards a permanent solution," said AT&T News Relations Director Kate MacKinnon in an emailed statement. She declined to comment further.

The petition states that the existing cell tower off Scott Road is located near the clubhouse and "on-site recreational activities" for The Orchards, a residential development. Orchard Woods has not extended the lease with AT&T, according to the petition.

A representative for The Orchards could not immediately be reached on Friday afternoon.

First Selectman Mark Nickerson said Wednesday's information session will concern the Siting Council's process. He said residents can ask questions or propose questions that will be sent to the Siting Council. The council has jurisdiction over decisions on the placement of cell towers in communities.

The town is considering becoming an intervener, which would enable it to receive notifications about the proposal from the council, he said.

"We certainly want to have a voice in the process," said Nickerson. "Also, the citizens have a right to know what is going on right behind them."

Melanie Bachman, the acting executive director of the Siting Council, said a Siting Council analyst will review the site and present a report to the full council. The proposal for the temporary tower may be on the agenda for the council's May 28 meeting, she said.

If a community raises concerns about a proposal, the council could allot more time to address concerns and make a decision, she said. The council has 180 days from the date of the petition, filed on April 9, to make a decision.

Since the petition is for a temporary tower, there is no public hearing requirement, she said, but residents can contact the council.

"They can send in comments to the council through email or a regular hard copy about any concerns they may have," she said.

Residents Rocco Tricarico and Jim Fleming are circulating fliers, in opposition to the proposed cell tower, among their neighbors.

"AT&T is proposing to build a cell phone tower in our backyard," the flier states. "The site for the tower is on private land which will require the use of Ancient Highway for construction and maintenance. It will be located near wetlands and will involve the cutting of over 50 trees, will be a visual eyesore, impact the quality of life in several neighborhoods and lower property values..."

Bachman said a petition for a permanent tower has not yet been filed with the Siting Council, and the applicant has to undergo a municipal noticing process for 90 days before the company can file a full application with the council. The process also includes exploring alternative locations with the community, she said.

Bachman said the application for a permanent tower "will be fully vetted" by the council once filed.

Nickerson said the town has been notified that AT&T will be applying to build a 175-ft. tower.

A public notice, posted April 13 in The Day, also states that AT&T is proposing the 175-ft. tall facility with a 50-foot-by-50-foot fenced gravel equipment compound. The notice states that public comments about "potential effects on historic properties" can be submitted within 30 days to All-Points Technology Corp. in Killingworth. 

k.drelich@theday.com

Twitter: @KimberlyDrelich