This photo simulation from AT&T demonstrates what the proposed “stealth” tower at the Tofte cemetery would look like.
Ten years ago citizens from Tofte raised their voices, concerns, and ire against a cell phone tower proposed for their town. The 200-foot lighted tower, which was to be secured with guy wires, was never built. Too big, too ugly and a scourge on the visual landscape were the biggest reasons for people’s expressed ire.
Fast forward to last week’s special meeting when residents and the town board heard Ken Nielsen’s presentation about AT&T’s plan to erect a smaller cell phone tower in the township. On November 17, 2010, not only weren’t there any complaints, but after several dozen questions were answered, everyone in attendance raised their hand to show support for the idea.
But this proposal was far different.
Nielsen is a site development agent for Buell Consulting, a firm hired by AT&T to lay the groundwork for putting up these structures.
“We work with counties, cities, towns and townships to plan for these towers. Our company helps with everything from site acquisitions, leasing and zoning, site design, and negotiations with affected parties,” said Nielsen.
The Tofte cemetery is the preferred site to erect a 140-foot “stealth” pole. It would take up about one quarter of unused cemetery land. Thepole is made to look aesthetically pleasing. It is small enough so that no aviation warning lights need to be installed, and no guy wires will be used to keep it in place.
“It is designed to withstand high winds and if it does collapse, it is engineered to fold in half,” said Nielsen.
Dennis Rysdahl, owner of Bluefin Bay Resort, owns most of the private land around the cemetery. Nielsen said landowners that might be affected “would need to sign a variance so this can be okayed by planning and zoning.”
“We will cooperate in any way we can,” Rysdahl told Nielsen, adding that his customers are increasingly interested in getting better cell phone service on the shore.
At 130 feet, Tofte would be paid $800 per month to rent space for a small building and the tower. The township would be required to provide snowplowing, but that might be an add-on that could be charged to AT&T.
Built at a height of 140 feet, the tower would have the capability of adding one more cell phone carrier and the town’s revenue would go up if that were to happen. If it is shorter, Nielsen said a second provider wouldn’t probably be interested in renting space because “leaves and trees would shorten the length of the signal” that could be projected.
When asked how good the signal would be and how fast, Nielsen responded, “Somewhere between dialup and a T-1 line. You might not be able to watch TV on your cell phone, but the rest of it will be fast. Voice data and wireless Internet will be greatly improved. Everything is about speed. But with the new technologies, pretty soon that won’t be an issue,” he added.
If the proposed tower is put up, the town of Tofte will enter into a lease agreement that would last five years, but extensions could string it out 25 to 30 years. “It costs between $250,000 and $500,000 to design and build these towers, so companies need to make sure they can recoup their expenses,” said Nielsen.
Currently AT&T is looking at putting up towers about every eight miles along the North Shore. Putting towers that blend in or are all together invisible to the public is AT&T’s goal. By putting up towers in relative close proximity, customers should get good service.
“However, due to the terrain, it might not be possible to have a perfect signal all of the time when you are driving on Highway 61,” said Nielsen.
The next step is for Nielsen to go before the Planning Commission. Tofte board chairman Paul James encouraged people to attend the meeting and show their support. The town of Tofte is also sending a letter of
” support and will encourage businesses and the US Forest Service to send letters of support for this project.
“If we are going to grow as a community, if we are going to hold our own, we need to get this technology,” James said.
If all goes well through this process, the tower could be up “at the earliest next June,” Nielsen said.
A similar tower proposed for the Minnesota Power site in Schroeder is expected to take longer. Nielsen is also the person in charge of that project.
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