Cell Phone Tower Plan Delayed, Lack Of Service Raises Safety Concerns

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Story Published: Jul 30, 2010 at 1:57 PM EDT

Story Updated: Jul 30, 2010 at 6:21 PM EDT

Stacey Allen of New Hampshire is frustrated because she can't get a cell phone signal near her Cranberry Lake summer home.

"We drive around and I hold my phone out the window until I see a bar or two and then I say to my husband, "stop,'" said Allen.
 
Cell service is spotty to non-existent through a stretch of the Adirondacks running from South Colton to Sevey's Corners on state Route 56 and along Route 3 from Cranberry Lake to Piercefield.

"It's extremely difficult and you have a highway at 55 miles an hour with curves. In the winter time it can be a real bear to travel and so forth and there's no way of communicating," said Colton Town Supervisor Lawrence Patzwald.
 
The lack of cell service in the area has created safety issues for motorists travelling through the dead-zone area and for emergency fire and rescue crews.

"You get in some areas - it's pretty isolated and you get some bad accidents. We had to get sat phones and they're not always reliable either," said Cranberry Fire Department Captain Scott McWharf.
 
Emergency crews were also hampered by poor cell service reception during last month's Canton School bus accident along Route 3.

"We've had several instances where people just can't use their cell phone at all and it is a very serious concern," said St. Lawrence County Emergency Services Director Marty Hassett.
 
But that could soon change.

Latham-based Independent Towers is considering building a single service, 120-foot cellular tower where Routes 3 and 56 intersect at Sevey's Corners - providing AT & T service.   
 
The proposed tower will be taller than most others of its kind located within the Blue Line of the Adirondack Park.

When it's built it, will have to face stringent Adirondack Park Agency regulations that could include making the metal tower look like a tree so it blends in with the natural surroundings.
 
So far, the company has filed a preliminary application with the APA for the tower and expects to submit its formal plans within the next month.

Company officials say without any delays, construction could begin this fall.
 

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