Verizon outlines plan for 130‑foot monopole near existing tower to improve Westport Island coverage

Verizon's attorney, Robert Bergdorf of Nixon Peabody, told the Westport Island Planning Board that Verizon plans to file a formal application for a 130‑foot monopole next to an existing roughly 290‑foot tower to fill coverage gaps across Westport Island.

Bergdorf said the company found limited locations where a cell site would function for the network and that co‑locating near an existing tower is common practice to limit new disturbance. “If we didn't need this site...why would Verizon spend the money to build it?” Bergdorf asked, adding that engineers will supply propagation studies and structural information with the application.

Why it matters: Board members and residents raised concerns about visual impacts, blasting for foundations and whether emergency services had indicated a shortfall; Bergdorf said 911 and other cellular‑dependent services factor into the network need and that RF studies will show the tower's expected coverage and the small area directly beneath any monopole that may receive altered reception.

Residents asked whether the proposed site would principally serve Westport Island or extend coverage to nearby towns; Bergdorf said the submitted “search area” covered Westport and that the RF models determine where a site will work.

Next steps: Bergdorf said Verizon will submit a full application with RF propagation studies, construction drawings and FCC licensing information; the company plans to attend the board's July 8 meeting in person with RF engineers and invited the community to review the technical material in advance. The board emphasized that the May/June session was a pre‑application informational meeting and that further public notice and at least one public hearing will follow the formal submission.