PIKE COUNTY, PA — A proposed 174-foot Verizon cell tower raised concerns from residents during an October 19 Milford Borough Council meeting.

A letter sent by engineering firm Trileaf on behalf of Verizon stated that the tower would be built on 106 Quarter House Lane and contain equipment within “a 2,500 square-foot compound”. 

The September 28 letter also stated that a response from Milford Borough would be required in 30 days, or else the firm would proceed as though there are no objections to the project. The borough has until October 28 to respond.

Attendee David Lender, former chair of the Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB), said that the location of the tower would not only affect his property, but also tourism in the area.

Lender explained that while the cell tower would be 174 feet, the elevation of the proposed location is about 496 feet, meaning that it would be highly visible. 

“Anybody who goes up on The Knob would be looking at it,” he said, referring to The Milford Knob, a hiking trail in the area with a scenic uphill view. “This is a complete finger in the air to the whole historic district.”

Tamara Chant, a real estate agent in the area, added that the tower would ruin the valuation of homes near the proposed location.

“Quite often, I’m working with the houses on top of Milford Highlands. It’s beautiful,” she said, as an example of another location impacted by a cell tower. “Every time I take people they go, ‘This is amazing. Why is that cell tower there?’"

Joseph Dooley, president of the Milford Borough Council, explained that the proposed location is actually in Dingman Township, and not the borough.

“Trileaf is confused about where this property is. Everybody’s mailing address is Milford,” Dooley said. The Milford area zip code includes not just the municipality of Milford Borough but also much of the surrounding area. 

A motion was passed to send a letter from the board and HARB in response to Trileaf, and forward it to Dingman Township, the National Park Service and local legislators. 

“I believe we are all in agreement.” Milford Borough Board vice president Maria Farrell said. “This is not something we want.”

Dingman Township Secretary Susan Mikulak told the River Reporter that while the township did view the proposal sent to the borough, Trileaf has not sent an application to Dingman yet.

Mikulak added that if an application is sent to the township, that it would have to be reviewed by the zoning and planning departments before the board of supervisors decides.

She stated that she thinks “restrictions will be put in place if this moves forward.”

The next Milford Borough meeting will be on November 16. The next meeting of the Dingman Township Board of Supervisors will be Wednesday, November 4 at 7 p.m. at the Dingman Township Municipal Building.