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Utilities committee, council clear Crown Castle plan for 25 small‑cell upgrades in Lynn
Summary
Crown Castle asked to upgrade roughly 25 wireless facilities across Lynn; company representative said the work replaces outdated equipment and will improve bandwidth for in‑home internet and cellular service. Utilities committee and City Council approved the petitions unanimously.
Craig Borghard, representing Crown Castle, told the Utilities Committee the petitions cover routine upgrades to about 25 wireless facilities across Lynn and are intended to replace aging equipment and increase bandwidth for residents and businesses.
"These upgrades will allow for increased bandwidth…students are relying on remote learning, and people are utilizing wireless technology almost exclusively," Borghard said, and added the small‑cell sites are fiber‑fed and support both in‑home internet devices and cellular service.
Committee members asked technical questions about whether the work feeds home internet or only cell service; Borghard and staff said small cells are fed by the fiber network and support both. The Utilities Committee moved to approve the petitions; the motion was seconded and recorded as unanimous.
At the City Council meeting later in the agenda, committees reported unanimous approval and the council moved to approve the petitions as recommended by the Utilities Committee.
Councilors and staff directed residents seeking more information to the Crown Castle materials shared with the council and to a Crown Castle web page that planning staff said could be provided to residents.
The approvals allow Crown Castle to proceed with the listed equipment replacements; any permits or outlined conditions shown in the petitions will be administered by city staff through the normal permitting process.
