Selco (Verizon) asks PURA to approve small cell on Frogtown Road; company says proposal meets safety and technical standards

Selco Partnership, doing business as Verizon Wireless, asked the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority to approve construction of a small cell facility in the public right of way near 231 Frogtown Road in New Canaan. Hearing officer Russ Bowman opened the evidentiary hearing and emphasized that "there is no decision being issued today." Bowman presided over witness swearing and received three exhibits into the record, including the original application (filed 03/12/2026) and an updated application (filed 07/30/2026).

Attorney Emily Deans, representing the applicant, said Selco "has fulfilled the requirements for construction plan approval" under the authority's prior guidance and supported that claim with prefiled testimony and interrogatory responses. Deans cited relevant construction standards and argued the record contains "no evidence" that the proposed facility would fail to meet structural or electrical standards or to protect public safety during construction and operation.

Company witnesses testified about the site's purpose and technical compliance. Kristen Prentiss, a Verizon senior engineer in regulatory and real estate, adopted prefiled testimony and verified the exhibits. Keith Volante, the company's radio‑frequency witness, explained that the proposed facility addresses a localized coverage gap and that engineering calculations were prepared in accordance with FCC OET Bulletin 65.

Bowman and the parties agreed that the hearing record will be supplemented by briefs; no final determination was made today. The authority's schedule as discussed at the hearing sets briefs due August 19 and tentatively schedules oral argument for September 15, with a possible authority meeting on September 30 to consider a final decision.