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Engineers and reviewer debate whether 130–135 ft is needed to fix coverage gaps in Boylston/Northborough
Summary
Board review included RF engineer testimony and maps showing what a 115–135 foot monopole would cover. The applicant said lower heights leave coverage gaps in Boylston; the town reviewer said 75 feet would cover much of Northborough but not the broader gap that crosses town lines.
A central technical thread of the meeting focused on whether the proposed height is necessary to address gaps in wireless coverage across northern Northborough and neighboring Boylston. The applicant submitted computer‑generated RF plots at multiple heights and frequency bands and testified that lower heights would leave substantial white (unserved) areas, particularly at higher frequencies.
The board’s independent reviewer explained the simulation inputs and how terrain and land‑use affect propagation. "The composite plots show that at 115 feet there remain unserved areas in Boylston; at lower heights those white and gray areas expand," the reviewer said, recommending the board review the applicant’s plots and measurement data. The applicant’s RF witness said the proposed height would materially improve service for the larger multi‑town area and that available nearby towers (including a TV tower) do not sufficiently mitigate the gap in the area identified by the applicants.
Board members asked for comparative plots (existing sites plus the TV tower and reduced‑height options) and for drive‑test or measurement evidence; the applicant said much of that work appears in the record but offered to relegate specific plots to the Aug. 10 session for final review.
