The Struggle with AT&T Goes On...to a ZBA Decision May 13

The historic sites walk yesterday morning and the hearing last night are described by a Keene Sentinel writer in this article, which has just been published:

In Stoddard, ways of life collide

No decision yet on proposed cell tower

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STEVE HOOPER / Sentinel Staff

In Stoddard, ways of life collide

Peering out the window of the Cucchi residence in Munsonville Thursday toward Granite Lake and a proposed cell tower are, from left, Stephen D. Anderson, representing AT&T, Nadine M. Peterson, of the N.H. Division of Historical Resources and Buzz McLaughlin of Stoddard.

Posted: Friday, May 6, 2011 12:15 pm | Updated: 11:54 am, Fri May 6, 2011.

By Sarah Trefethen Sentinel Staff | 0 comments

STODDARD — Many rules govern the construction of cellphone towers, from local ordinances to federal legislation to courtroom precedents.

There are rules that consider a project’s impacts on historical sites, communication infrastructure and local property values.

But no one rule seems to get to the heart of what bothers Granite Lake residents who have for months resisted AT&T’s plans to build a tower on Stoddard’s Melville Hill, in a location that would be visible across the lake.

Lifelong Stoddard resident Marline J. Leotta says she’s not against technology, but balks at the idea of such a prominent incursion of modern life into the lake’s landscape of rolling green hills and small wooden docks that jut into the sparkling water.

“We need places for the soul to feel free,” she said Thursday, standing near the lake shore in Nelson. “I want it to be a place where you can come and think about nature, not mankind and its squabbles.”

Cucchi Challenges AT&T Proposed Cell Tower Citing Section 106 and the history of Charles Eastman

For many years John Cucchi and his wife Anne, residents of Nelson, NH, have owned and operated Granite Lake Cottages

which overlook Granite Lake, one of the most scenic and pristine lakes in New Hampshire:

Here are two views from their cottages:

These views are now being threatened by AT&T's proposal to build a 150-foot cell tower directly on top of the hill where the rainbow can be seen.

AT&T Rejects Stoddard ZBA's Efforts to Find Alternate Cell Tower Sites

The Stoddard Zoning Board of  Adjustment (ZBA) hearings regarding AT&T's proposal to build a cell phone tower on top of Melville Hill, overlooking Granite Lake, NH, continued on Tuesday, February 15 at 7 p.m.

ZBA secretary Patricia Putnam's notes on the hearing can be found here.

Margaret Schillemat, a town of  Nelson Selectman, was present and her letter from the Nelson Board of Selectmen opposing the AT&T proposed cell tower site on Melville Hill, was noted. (See her letter in the last post.)

The Granite lake area is unique in that it includes both the towns of Stoddard and Nelson. Nelson residents on the south side of Granite Lake currently pay a considerable "view tax" for looking directly at the lake and the