Waterford, NL Residents Not Receptive To New Tower

What brings Waterford and New London together?

A 140-foot tower in the middle of Ocean Beach.

On Friday, a group of about 25 neighbors, half from Waterford and half from New London, joined together over hamburgers and hot dogs to discuss their opposition to a proposed 140-foot telecommunications tower at Ocean Beach Park. The neighbors agreed the tower would destroy their water views and lower property values.

“It doesn’t belong in a park, period,” said Waterford resident Steve Alligood, whose water view would be obstructed by the new tower. “I’ve seen them at industrial sites and the top of mountains, not in the middle of a park.”

New London City Councilman and mayoral hopeful Michael Buscetto quickly became the center of attention, as Waterford and New London residents began peppering him with questions. Buscetto sympathized with the neighbors, while delivering political advice as well.

“I’ve always said I’m concerned about the people who have to see it every day,” Buscetto said. “I’m not worried about the family from Hartford who comes down and sees it twice at the beach. I’m worried about the people who live here every day.”

The cell tower could bring New London $1.2 million in revenue over 20 years. However, Waterford residents have to be factored into the decision as well, and if it ruins their view, that isn’t fair to them, Buscetto said.

Nearby Waterford residents will have to stare at the “eyesore” and not receive any of the benefit of the tax revenue, Jody Alligood said. They get no benefit, Alligood said.

Buscetto responded by saying Waterford has to be factored into the decision, because the future is “regional partnerships.”

“We can’t look at this as Waterford and New London,” he said. “There is no line. It is just what is fair is fair.”

The New London City Council will vote on whether to build the cell tower on Aug. 1. Save Ocean Beach, an advocacy group, has endorsed building the tower.

Buscetto’s Advice

The key is to get as many people talking about this as possible, Buscetto told the group. If the council, which has four members running for mayor, begins to hear people against the idea, it will change its mind, he said.

However, at the same time, everybody shouldn’t talk at the Aug. 1 meeting, he said. Instead, one person should talk (the group nominated Alligood), and submit a petition with as many signatures as possible, Buscetto said.

“If you get 20 people saying the same thing, I know I began to fall asleep, and then one person says the wrong thing and that sticks in your head,” he said. “Have one person speak, with clear, concrete reasons on why this is bad, and then an alternative of where it could go.”

Neighbors proposed a variety of areas where the tower could be built, from Fort Trumbull to the former Waterford transfer station on Miner Lane. They also suggested having the tower built to look like a pine tree, as has been done in other areas.

“I’ve seen this before, and I know how this works,” said Waterford resident Edward Lamoureux, who has also been vocal in opposition of the Seaside application. “Get as many people involved as possible and be at that Aug. 1 meeting.”