News
Turnpike Authority Cancels Plan For Cell Tower At Exit 109
By Ryan Fennell
MIDDELTOWN - The New Jersey Turnpike Authority has terminated a plan for a proposed 140-foot cell tower that would have been located north of Newman Springs Road near the Garden State Parkway Exit 109.
The decision comes after Middletown residents from the area of the proposed site informed the township committee in June 2009 that they were unaware of the project until it was too late to comment.
The Turnpike Authority had held a public hearing on the proposal in August of 2007. However, according to the residents very few people attended and new families had moved into the area and were unaware of the plans.
Middletown Township officials wrote to the Turnpike Authority requesting a second public hearing to give the residents an opportunity to view the plan and ask questions, according to Township Administrator Anthony Mercantante.
Mercantante also said that residents of the area contacted the Turnpike Authority separately from the township to voice concerns over the proposal.
"I'm thrilled the Turnpike Authority was responsive to the concerns of Middletown Township officials and residents," Mayor Pamela Brightbill said. "I look forward to retaining strong lines of communications with the Turnpike Authority regarding future projects that can impact Middletown."
A major concern regarding the cell tower was that it would be located on a parcel of land owned by the state and Middletown would have no regulatory control over the project.
The Turnpike Authority has said it would seek a less populated area for the tower.
According to Mercantante the Turnpike Authority did not specify a new location.
However, Mercantante said that a public hearing would be required for any proposed site.
Several phone calls to the Turnpike Authority were not returned.
