Superior Court rules for Westfield in cell‑tower lawsuit; AT&T ready to proceed with installation, mayor says

Mayor Brindle told the council that the town received a favorable ruling from the Superior Court of New Jersey in a lawsuit brought by Scotch Plains residents challenging the placement of a cell tower at the conservation center. The mayor said the ruling came earlier the same day.

"We did receive some good news earlier today that the superior court in New Jersey ruled in the town's favor in the lawsuit filed by several Scotch Plains residents regarding the placement of its cell tower at the conservation center," Brindle said. She added that the town signed a lease agreement with AT&T in 2022 to install the tower and that the agreement includes a $100,000 donation for improvements at the Sid Fay Houlihan Field Complex and ongoing monthly lease payments.

Brindle said AT&T has confirmed it is ready to move forward with installation even if plaintiffs appeal the ruling, and that the town looks forward to the strengthened cellular coverage and the upgrades the lease will fund. The mayor framed expanded coverage as a benefit for everyday service and for emergency communications for first responders.

Why it matters: the ruling clears a legal hurdle allowing the town to proceed with a telecommunications installation that officials say will fill local cellular coverage gaps, particularly in southwest Westfield. The mayor presented the information during opening remarks; the transcript does not record any new formal vote tied to the ruling.

The council did not provide additional technical details about tower height, exact location coordinates or timing for construction during the meeting.