MARBLEHEAD — Three years ago when the Water Department allowed a cell phone antenna array atop its water tower at 25 Tower Way, resident Barbara Karademos didn't hear a word about it.
But she can hear them now.
Karademos is one of several residents alarmed to learn that a second antenna array is slated to go on the water tower. "I've read that the microwave radiation from the antenna is harmful to human beings," she said. "We live in a heavily populated area. Between two streets with houses all along."
It's been doubly disturbing, she indicated, given that she hadn't known the first antenna was there. That one belongs to T-Mobile and was allowed "by right." In other words, no hearing process was required.
The new antenna will go before the Planning Board on May 27. But because of the restrictions on local authority imposed by the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996, stopping it would be a problem. "The lease has been signed," said Water and Sewer Department Superintendent Dana Snow. "I don't know what they can do."
The new antenna is slated to provide cell phone service through a company called MetroPCS. Snow explained yesterday that his board was approached and readily agreed to the antenna, which, like the first, will bring the town rental income of more than $20,000 a year.
"We are not aware of any known health effects," said Snow. To stress the point, he noted that one of the board's longtime members, Wilbur Bassett "lives under the tower." Other members live within blocks. "I live one street away," said the superintendent.
Snow complained that documents distributed by critics like Karademos are not even-handed in assessing the health dangers of such devices.
Karademos attended last week's meeting of the selectmen, along with Linda Weltner and Rachael Gerny. They hope to gather more supporters for an appearance before the Planning Board. "I don't think this is a proper place to put this equipment," Karademos said. "It's unfair. It's very unfair."
Complicating matters, explained Selectman Bill Woodfin, is the fact that the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 specifically forbids local boards from even considering issues related to the health risks associated with such technology. "We all know how that happened," Woodfin said. "Telecommunications companies ran in there with big lobbying organizations. ... Congress has sold the public down the street."
He did agree, however, that the public is of two minds on this issue. No one wants these antennas nearby. But everyone seems to want a cell phone.
