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Council hears Blue Wing presentation; consultant singles out DOT-owned East Cedar parcel for new radio tower
Summary
Blue Wing Services reported it narrowed 28 candidate sites to a shortlist of eight and recommended a town-owned DOT parcel on East Cedar Street for a public-safety communications tower; staff outlined FAA, NEPA and FCC steps and projected construction in 2027.
The Newington Town Council on July 28 heard from Blue Wing Services consultant Andy Andrew Maximilian, who said a DOT-owned parcel on East Cedar Street is the leading candidate to host a new public-safety radio tower.
"What we're calling the DOT parcel land seems to be the most viable option for us at the moment," Maximilian said, describing an evaluation that began with 28 candidate sites and was narrowed to an eight-site shortlist. He said the DOT parcel checks environmental and buildability boxes and provides coverage comparable to the current Callahan Mountain site in both radio bands the town uses.
Maximilian described a standard compound—roughly 70 by 90 feet, fenced, with a communications shelter and backup power—and showed examples of a 180-foot lattice tower. He told the council that regulatory steps will include an FAA aeronautical assessment, an environmental review under NEPA (estimated at four to six months), and FCC relicensing for the town's frequencies. Blue Wing estimates site construction in spring 2027 and completion in late summer or early fall 2027, assuming permitting and design proceed on schedule.
Councilors asked about field testing, abutter notifications and access roads. Maximilian said the proposed site is only about 0.17 miles from the current facility, which reduces the need for extensive field testing and lowers relocation risk. He also said a short access-road build and utility work would be required.
Several residents who spoke during public comment supported the plan on safety grounds. "We need to get adequate coverage," longtime resident Stanley Sobieski said, arguing that better coverage would benefit police, fire and EMS. Local rebroadcaster Sky Grzkowski added that reception problems in parts of town make improved infrastructure important for public safety communications.
Next steps the consultant outlined include completing schematic design, conducting the FAA and NEPA reviews, performing any required simulations of visual impact, and beginning detailed engineering. Councilors and staff said they will continue to refine the site plan and notify abutters as the project advances.
