Visual expert describes April balloon test and simulations for proposed Route 22 monopole

Saratoga Associates’ visual analyst Peter Gerardo walked the planning board and the public through a visual resource assessment that included a balloon test on April 14, 2025 and a photo log of 22 field photographs from selected viewpoints.

Gerardo described the test: “A 4 foot diameter red balloon was raised to the approximate top elevation of the proposed tower. An additional balloon of roughly 3 feet diameter was also attached… at a height of 100 feet. The balloon was raised at approximately 07:45 AM… and remained in the air until 12, noon.” The consultant said winds were about 5 mph but increased late in the test and occasionally displaced the balloons.

The consultant explained that photographic simulations were created from a 3‑D model matched to camera viewpoints and not simply by relying on the balloon’s position in the photos. Applicant counsel and the visual team said they used view‑shed analysis and a narrative describing why chosen viewpoints (including some trail and park viewpoints) were selected, and they proposed brown paint for the pole and antennas to reduce contrast with the ridgeline.

Several public commenters — including the Conservation Advisory Council and individual trail users — disputed whether the submitted photo set included the highest‑impact rail‑trail viewpoints; they asked the board to require images from those specific locations. The board asked both the applicant and the town’s visual consultant to clarify which viewpoints and photographs were included in the April submission and whether additional trail photos should be taken or considered.