VTel Placed On Hold

Norwich Holds Off On Tower

By Sarah Brubeck, Valley News Staff Writer
February 28, 2013 
Bowing to political reality, the Selectboard chose to put off a decision to finalize a controversial communications tower agreement and instead will wait until after residents have a chance to weigh in at Town Meeting next week.
For the past six months, the Selectboard has been divided 3-2 in favor of allowing VTel, a Springfield, Vt.-based telecommunications company, to construct a tower on New Boston Road in exchange for letting the town use it for new emergency communications equipment. But last night, Selectman Keith Moran, who previously supported the plan, leaned in favor of public outcry.
“I think the voters have spoken,” Moran said after last night’s meeting.
Town Manager Neil Fulton had placed items on last night’s Selectboard agenda that would have finalized a site lease agreement with VTel for a communications tower. At the same time, there is a bond vote scheduled for Tuesday’s Town Meeting that essentially asks residents if they support the VTel agreement or would rather assume the cost of building the tower themselves.
If the board would have voted to finalize the VTel agreement last night, it would have made next week’s Town Meeting vote moot.
But much to residents’ surprise, the Selectboard chose to put off the decision. At the start of the meeting, before many of the 40 attendees had a chance to sit down, Selectman Stephen Flanders made a motion to delay any decision until a March 13 meeting and others agreed.
“My opinion hasn’t changed, but I think it makes sense to wait and give people a chance to vote,” said Selectman Ed Childs, who has historically voted in favor of the VTel agreement.
About an hour later, Moran gave residents even more hope by telling them that he would switch his vote. If Norwich voters are willing to bear the financial costs and risks, then that’s their decision, Moran said.

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LINK: 
http://www.vnews.com/news/4743931-95/vtel-tower-residents-town

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