During a recent government meeting, discussions centered around two significant proposals: the installation of a new cell tower and the conversion of a commercial property into duplexes.

The proposed cell tower, located off Route 13 near Chapels, was the subject of scrutiny as members assessed its visibility. An inflated helium balloon was tethered at the proposed tower site to gauge its height and visibility. Observations indicated that the tower would not be easily seen beyond a half-mile radius, with members reporting no visibility from nearby areas such as Monson and Burns Rock. While some expressed concerns about the tower's impact on the landscape, others noted that in today's world, cell towers are increasingly accepted as part of the infrastructure.

The meeting also addressed a proposal from Squirrel Hill Properties, LLC, seeking approval to convert an existing office building on Emerson Road into a duplex. The plans include the renovation of the current structure and the construction of two additional duplex-style buildings, resulting in a total of six multifamily residential units on the site. The proposal aims to change the zoning from commercial to residential, which raised questions about potential impacts on the surrounding area. However, initial discussions suggested that there were no significant concerns regarding traffic or environmental impact.

As the meeting progressed, members were encouraged to provide feedback on both proposals, with the possibility of submitting comments to the planning board. The discussions reflect ongoing efforts to balance development needs with community concerns in the region.