Verizon cancels plan for 5G utility pole in Macomb Twp. subdivision

Residents of the Cross Creek subdivision were recently able to breathe a sigh of relief when they learned that a 5G utility pole slated to be erected in their subdivision had been reconsidered.

On Nov. 29, a spokesperson from U.S. Rep Lisa McClain’s office weighed in on the issue in a statement to The Macomb Daily.

“Representing my constituents, and addressing any issues they have regarding the federal government is my top priority in Congress. When local residents called my office to express concerns about a proposed Verizon cell tower in their neighborhood, my team and I contacted Verizon to request they reconsider the current permitted location and consider alternative locations. I’m pleased the permits have been pulled and the issue has been resolved,” McClain said.

On Oct. 27, Matt Elwart, a resident of Anthony Drive, located near 22 Mile and Garfield roads, brought to the Board of Trustees concerns regarding the 5G utility pole and presented officials with a petition of over 150 residents against the pole location.

“We have signed petitions to protest to the installation of a 40 foot Verizon 5G wireless utility pole that was intended to be erected on the boulevard of my yard surrounding my home,” Elwart said, adding he contacted township, state and county officials with the concern.

Elwart cited health and environmental concerns and decreases in home values should the pole be located in the subdivision. Trustee Peter J. Lucido III said that he had heard residents concerns on the issue and had reached out to other government officials as well as the Trileaf Company and Verizon. Lucido said he was referred from Trileaf to Verizon, who responded with a form letter.

“I do understand your frustration. I do feel the same way as you, I don’t necessarily want them in the township. But unfortunately it does look that way, that there is not much that we can do, but I will continue to look into it as much as I can,” Lucido said.

Supervisor Frank Viviano said he was also working with other governmental officials at multiple levels, and would persist despite the frequent obstacles.

“The challenge we face is that the federal government, the FCC has literally taken jurisdiction out of this, out of our hands. That does not mean like Trustee Lucido had said, we will stop asking our state and federal legislatures if there is any way to change any of those current laws and we will continue to do so. But it is an extremely difficult thing to take on a utility company. I have done it. I have tried and it is very, very, very challenging,” Viviano said. “They make it, they do it by design because the federal government wants the utility companies to be able to add all of these services and in the process our voice often gets left behind.”

Elwart returned to the board on Nov. 10 with four other nearby residents, all requesting the township assist in preventing the 5G pole from being located in the subdivision.

“The installation of these 40 foot utility towers will not stop at Cross Creek subdivision. It is coming to your neighborhood next,” resident Cheryl Rutkowski said.

Trustee Frank Cusumano said that as an attorney, he contended with public utilities all the way to the Supreme Court for several years. Lucido said the Sept. 13 letter referred to only offered the township an opportunity to respond or object if the pole was slated to be located on a site of historical significance and offered to assist and support residents in the matter. Trustee Nancy Nevers also offered to lend support to residents.

“I understand that when a national or international company is going to be putting in a series of these towers across the country their first stop is not here. Their first stop is the federal government to preempt here. Because they don’t want this happening in thousands of town halls. They want to prevents us from being able to do anything. Otherwise they would not roll out these projects. So the first stop is, you know, U.S. Congress. To set up a legal framework that neuters us from being, to have an effect on these things,” Treasurer Leon Drolet said.

Clerk Kristi Pozzi also said the Sept. 13 letter only requested that the township confirm the site for the pole was not historical, and that she responded accordingly.

“We agree that the state controls the jurisdiction of the towers and we don’t control that or have a say in it. If you asked this board right now to vote on it I could probably assume that all of us would vote no. We have not stopped,” Pozzi said.

Pozzi added Viviano had been in contact with McClain and that the township could better respond to residents when it had gleaned more information. She also agreed to meet with a resident delegation.

“I live on the south side of the township so you’re right, it is probably coming to my neighborhood as well,” Pozzi said. “So I am for, I am totally for trying to find a solution.”

On Nov. 23 Elwart came to the board to thank them for their efforts to stop the 5G utility pole from being located in his neighborhood. He said he had received information from McClain that the pole was cancelled. Viviano showed Elwart a copy of the cancelled permit.

“I certainly don’t want it to look like I was able to change Verizon’s mind, I did reach out to Verizon along with their contractor, Trileaf, and I did voice concerns and ask some questions, but I was responded to with little new information,” Lucido told the Macomb Daily on Nov. 27.

Lucido also said that unfortunately, the technology is likely to come to the township in some way.

“The harsh reality for the residents is this technology is coming to the township and it is possible they choose this site again, but for now I will take this as a bit of luck and will take the win for the residents,” Lucido said.

Viviano said resident concerns are something the township is continuing to examine as the rollout of 5G technology continues nationwide.

“It’s worth noting that the 5G antennas at issue are not the same type of ‘cell tower’ that we have come to understand.  These are smaller pieces of equipment that can get mounted on existing utility poles, or as in the case of Anthony Drive, be installed on a newly placed wooden pole. Cell towers, by contrast, are typically very large and tall metal structures. Something as large as a cell tower would normally require some level of township permitting and building inspection, however, a utility pole driven into the right of way does not,” Viviano said on Nov. 29.

Viviano also said that it would only be a matter of time before another pole was installed in the township.

“The effort on the part of the public officials involved was only just beginning. Verizon pulled the permit from the county before we even had much of an opportunity to discuss the issue and we hadn’t yet come to any conclusions. I am hoping that the discussions we started will continue even though this one antenna was canceled. While the township doesn’t have jurisdiction over where and when these things are installed, I am hoping that we can facilitate an open dialogue with other agencies and residents affected,” Viviano said.