02/13/2019 ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS Minutes

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MASHPEE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 13, 2019 Mr. Furbush asked when the process started. Attorney Thompson said that in May 2017 is when the RFP was issued. Mr. Furbush noticed that 150 ft. of 146 ft. with Verizon doesn't completely cover everything. He asked if they initially tried to go higher. Attorney Thompson said no; because there were concerns in the community. It's not often a higher tower is proposed that is in proximity to residences. The area down by the beach is a gap area, but in the future a small cell option would be available to fill in those gaps. The gaps identified by those carriers is the area of south Mashpee. However, when the tower is up and operational,that might change, and over time the radio frequency engineer will be able to reconfigure to fix any issue. No one macro site will be able to close out every bit of depleted service. Mr. Furbush wanted an explanation of the macro site. Attorney Thompson said on the tower itself a small cell solution at the beach to fill in that remaining area requires the tower to be able to communicate. Mr. Dan Brown said that the standard cell tower wireless facility is known as a macro site. A small cell facility is essentially an antenna, radio equipment monitors, a utility pole, a light pole, or any other small structure. They are intended to largely complement a macro network, not replace them. They're used to either provide coverage improvement or additional network capacity to small isolated targeted areas. Whether it's a busy intersection in front of a shopping plaza, a small neighborhood, or a,particular roadway. Future installations might be utilized by utility poles or alike could be a good solution. Mr. Furbush asked if the small sight would not work without the larger site. Mr. Brown said yes; it would complement it. There is multiple diff6rences on the small sites, some are repeaters and distribute antenna systems which do work off the larger facilities. The small sites look like a skinny antenna which is something that most people relate with. Verizon Wireless provides transformers on the utility poles, or municipal light poles which are canister style concealed antennas that are blended into the area. Mr. Furbush said that these smaller sites could be filled on different poles that cover that entire area,but no backup power. Mr. Brown said there's no back up power,there's power in the fiber lines running into a power meter, and essentially a radio,which is a small piece of equipment that collects cable for the lines. Mr. Furbush said; but without the macro tower it doesn't work. Mr. Brown said; no. Mr. Gould asked if it's an FAA violation to have the beacon on top. Sharon read the Conservation Department comment dated February 8,2019 into the record. Sharon read the Board of Health comments dated February 12, 2019 into the record. Sharon read a resident letter dated February 7, 2019 into the record who is in favor of the proposed tower. 6