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Town delays Cityscape contract after consultant outlines wireless‑siting review and federal shot‑clock
Summary
Cityscape Consultants presented its local‑government‑only review services and explained FCC shot‑clock rules for new towers; the board voted to pause signing while it circulates an RFP to other firms.
Elizabeth Smith, vice president and general manager of Cityscape Consultants, told the Ancram Town Board the firm works exclusively for local governments and can help with engineering review, code updates and lease administration for wireless sites. “I am the vice president and general manager for Cityscape Consultants,” Smith said, explaining the firm’s four core services and noting, “We do not work for the wireless industry.”
Smith described the review process and federal timing rules that communities must follow for tower applications. She said the federal "shot clock" gives municipalities a 150‑day window to adjudicate a new tower application from start to finish, with tolling allowed for incomplete filings. The presentation prompted questions about Cityscape’s past experience with Homeland Towers and whether consultants ever recommend against new facilities; Smith said they have recommended withdrawal when an applicant could not justify need or collocation alternatives.
After the presentation boardmembers discussed procurement. Boardmembers asked that the town circulate its RFP to additional firms before committing to a contract. The board then voted to extend a pause on signing a contract with Cityscape until the RFP can be sent to other companies and additional proposals reviewed. “So let's make a motion to extend the pause on the signing of the contract with Cityscape until such time as we have the opportunity to send out the RFP to additional companies,” a boardmember moved; the motion was seconded and carried.
The board asked Cityscape to provide its slide deck to the town clerk so absent boardmembers can review it, and agreed to send the RFP to Cityscape for comment once the planning board has finalized it. The town will revisit contract action after additional proposals are received and the board has a full membership present.
