Cell tower built on originally planned site

After several months of delay, U.S. Cellular?s controversial 85-foot cell phone tower has been erected at the originally proposed site.

A statement released by U.S. Cellular explains the company was unable to find a viable alternative location and, therefore, chose to proceed with construction at 509 W. Depot Ave. A permit to construct the tower in the general manufacturing district had been obtained from the city in June.

The tower first became a hot topic in February when crews began construction and alarmed residents rallied to halt the tower?s completion, citing health-related concerns.

In response to the outcry from the community, Mayor Ed Malloy stepped in to facilitate the negotiation process and help identify other potential sites.

Although the site on Depot Avenue is in an area zoned as a manufacturing district, Malloy said the company looked at four alternative sites closer to the ?true manufacturing district? ? near Dexter Foundry and the former Iowa Malleable. Because the company?s goal was to enhance service in the downtown area, Malloy said moving the tower any farther west was not an option, as U.S. Cellular already has a tower in the city?s industrial park.

?At the suggestion of the city of Fairfield and [Maharishi University of Management], we looked at four alternative locations a few blocks west. After testing, we determined that none of them meet environmental standards for constructing a new cell tower,? states the release from U.S. Cellular.

Malloy explained the Federal Communications Commission regulates the environmental standards, and the proposed sites were not acceptable due to soil contaminants. He explained the delay in continuing construction was the result of the time needed to conduct testing at the alternative sites and review the results.

For the complete article and U.S. Cellular's statement, see the Friday, June 5, 2009, Fairfield Ledger.