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Committee weighs removal of Rogers High cell tower after resident complaints; administrative review to follow lease expiration
Summary
Committee members and residents debated removing a cell tower that looms over a neighborhood near Rogers High School, discussing ownership, contract history and a lease that staff said expires in April 2025; the committee asked staff to review procurement and removal logistics.
The Newport School Committee debated a motion to consider removing a cellular tower located on or adjacent to Rogers High School property after residents raised safety, noise and aesthetic concerns.
Committee members discussed the tower’s history and ownership during the session. Several members said the structure began life as a windmill erected by a private individual in the 1990s and was later converted for cellular use; staff described the site as city property while the school department receives lease revenue.
“We need an action plan and action to execute and completely get rid of that tower,” neighborhood resident Steven Turkot told the committee, noting the tower’s visibility over nearby homes and concerns about past generator noise and maintenance. He identified himself and his address for the record.
Committee members asked whether the contract allows the lessee to remove the tower at no cost or whether the district would incur demolition and abatement expenses. Staff said the active lease was reported to expire in April 2025 and that removal after lease expiration appears feasible, but that procurement rules and the city manager’s office must be consulted before any removal work begins.
Members discussed options to coordinate tower removal with other demolition or construction work on campus (for example, as part of building demolition packages) to reduce costs and explored the possibility of using equipment already on site. Staff also raised safety concerns and reported open gates and unsecured access that require immediate attention.
The committee called for a staff follow-up to confirm contract language, timeline for removal after lease expiration and a recommended procurement path; no final removal contract was authorized at the meeting.
The chair called the motion for a vote and declared the matter carried as the committee moved on to other agenda items; administrators said they would consult the city manager and return with implementation options.
No numeric vote tally was recorded in the meeting record provided in the transcript.
