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.”

Petition to Stop the AT&T Proposed Cell Tower on "The Hill of Vision"

We the undersigned oppose the granting of a Special Exception to AT&T for the building of a cell tower on Melville Hill (the “Hill of Vision”) in the township of Stoddard, New Hampshire.  The proposed site for the tower overlooks a site of particular significance to Native American culture and history because of its intimate connection to Dr. Charles Eastman, one American’s most revered and celebrated Native Americans. We believe the proposed tower would desecrate the purity and spiritual significance of the site. (Please print this petition, sign, and fax to 603-847-3232 ~ thank you!)

Native Americans Angered at AT&T's Proposed Cell Tower on "The Hill of Vision"

Press Release being sent out today to local and national media: 

AT&T’s request to New Hampshire's Stoddard Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) for a Special Exception to construct a 150-foot cell phone tower has stirred the ire of the Santee Dakota Sioux, headquartered in Flandreau, S.D.

The proposed cell tower would loom over Stoddard’s pristine Granite Lake community atop Melville Hill, once owned by renowned Native American Dr. Charles Eastman (1858-1939) and named by him “The Hill of Vision.” Eastman’s daughter Irene, a victim of an influenza epidemic that swept the area in 1918, is buried on the hill.

Cucchis inform ZBA of FCC Petition Re Historic Sites

To the Stoddard Zoning Board of Adjustment,

We have been in contact with the New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources
and the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance. They have advised us of the following:

We understand that AT&T has an obligation to consider any historical properties
within a 1/2 mile radius from the proposed cell tower. We believe there are two
historical sites within the 1/2 mile radius that have been overlooked - Camp Oahe
and Camp Notre Dame. Out of the 1/2 mile radius is the historic center of Munsonville,
which includes the General Store and Post Office properties and the Chapel By
The Lake/UMC.