On Wednesday, Oct. 15, the Scarborough Town Council adopted an updated cell tower ordinance that has been under review since March 2013. We held many hearings, and the proposed ordinance went through numerous drafts as a result of the input we received. For years I have been hearing that improved cell phone coverage is needed in many places in town but neighborhoods and scenic views needed to be protected. That has been our goal from the beginning and I am pleased to say it has been achieved. We used a professional consultant to identify the weak signal areas. The new ordinance will limit towers to industrial sites or to low-density areas that are away from neighborhoods. We added restrictions to limit the number of new towers. All carriers must locate on the same towers to address common gaps in coverage.

Planning Board members participated in our analysis and have been very positive about the new powers given to them to control the placement of towers.

As chair of the Town Council, I have had a goal of improving how the council keeps the public informed about important issues and cell towers is another example of that. We took the same approach for the plover/dog issue, the proposed skating rink, and the budget. Televised workshops and a go-slow approach has kept people informed. I have certainly not been alone in the pursuit of a more open and transparent town government. The Town Manager, our Planner, and fellow council members have embraced this approach even when their views have not always matched my own. I know the council joins me in thanking you for your continued support.

Richard Sullivan

Scarborough Town Councilor