Groton ― A 155-foot cell tower is being proposed for 70 Marsh Road in Noank.

The proposed facility would allow Dish Wireless and AT&T to “provide enhanced wireless communications and improved 911 service” in the area, according to a letter sent to local officials.

In a March 23 letter, a lawyer for Tarpon Towers III, LLC of Florida notified local officials of the proposal and the beginning of a 90-day consultation period before the anticipated filing of an application with the Connecticut Siting Council, which makes decisions on the permitting of telecommunications facilities. Tarpon Towers also sent a copy of the technical report with information about the site, equipment and facility, and environmental impact.

The siting council and not local zoning officials would approve the tower.

According to the report, the proposed 155-foot monopole structure would have antennae for Dish Wireless and AT&T, as well as two other future wireless carriers and be located within a 5,625-square-foot area of an approximately one-acre parcel, which is owned by William A. Socha. The site, which also houses the foundry building and a boats storage building, is located within a largely residential and commercial marina area adjacent to the railroad tracks.

The letter and report say Dish Wireless and AT&T need more reliable service in the area. Dish Wireless wants to offer wireless service in a mostly residential area that includes Morgan Point, Enders Island, and Esker Point Beach.

According to the report, there are a dozen telecommunications facilities, from rooftop to monopole antennae, within a four-mile radius of the proposed site.

Preliminary discussions

In the letter, Tarpon Towers said it is willing to meet with local officials, and any proposed alternative sites they wish to suggest must be proposed within 30 days of the initial meeting.

The company said local officials can hold a public meeting where the company would provide a summary of the proposal.

As part of the 90-day consulting period with the municipality, the town’s Planning and Zoning Commission, which serves as the planning agency for Noank, began preliminary discussions at its Tuesday, April 11 meeting about any comments it would have on the proposal, but decided to continue the discussion to its next meeting to allow more time for commissioners to review the proposal.

The Noank Zoning Commission has an item on its Tuesday, April 18 meeting agenda to discuss “recommendations, if any, to the Noank Fire District Executive Committee for initiation of a consultation process that may include a future public information meeting.“ The agenda says the commission will not be taking public comment on the issue at this time.

k.drelich@theday.com