East Lyme — The state Siting Council will hold a public hearing in town this month on AT&T’s proposal to install a 194-foot-tall cell tower at 351A Boston Post Road.

The hearing will begin at 3 p.m. on Dec. 15, and then continue at 7 p.m., at East Lyme Town Hall.

American Towers LLC and New Cingular Wireless LLC have filed an application with the state Siting Council for a certificate of environmental compatibility and public need, which is available on the Siting Council's website.

In Connecticut, the Siting Council determines the placement of cell towers in communities.

The proposed cell tower would provide service for both AT&T and T-Mobile and replace an existing tower near The Orchards subdivision, whose lease expires at the end of 2016.

The Siting Council said in its notice of the public hearing that the 3 p.m. session "will provide the applicant, parties, and intervenors an opportunity to cross-examine positions."

The 7 p.m. session "will be reserved for the public to make brief statements into the record."

The Siting Council is scheduled to conduct a field review of the site at 2 p.m. that day and fly a balloon to show the height of the proposed tower.

First Selectman Mark Nickerson said the town has filed for intervenor status in the application.

Nickerson said this doesn't mean the town is necessarily opposed to or in favor of the proposed site, but it allows town officials a proverbial seat at the table and to be privy to information related to the application.