The Borough Officials have tried for a number of years to act in concert with the wishes of residents, locating a cell tower distant from homes and schools. In January 2007, they presented a detailed and comprehensive application for a Land Diversion in which it proposed to swap a larger piece of land adjacent to the Fair Haven Fields parkland for a smaller piece of land that would be intended for the site for a cell tower in Fair Haven. The proposed site is reasonably distant from homes and schools in the Borough.

The application is a “win-win-win” for the Borough and its people, the DEP, and the Cellular Carriers:

• The Borough wins as it keeps the tower out of residential areas, gets some additional revenue, does something for open land, and has better cellular coverage.

• The DEP wins because it will receive a piece of land bigger than the one they are giving up and additional funds will be provided to upgrade and maintain this land.

• The Cellular Carriers win because they get improved service with a cell tower at a location that is accepted by a majority of its neighbors.

On February 23, 2007, the DEP denied this application claiming fears that environmental groups would initiate litigation against them and that there were alternatives sites in our Borough, not being concerned that they were near residences or school.

The Borough’s proposal is, in fact, a clear ‘win’ for Open Space. We feel the DEP did not act in a responsible way, nor show concern for the long-term health of the residents Fair Haven or the environment, since the other possible cell tower locations under active consideration are considerably closer to homes and schools, and would cause significantly more disturbance to the environment. Apparently, the DEP is not looking to protect the environment, but rather to protect itself from potential litigation. Furthermore, the DEP did not act in the general public interest. The Borough’s proposal clearly would add more recreational land and save trees. Isn’t this what the DEP is chartered to?  

We contacted Governor Corzine asking him to overrule the DEP. We, once again, need your support join us and to also send a letter to the Governor supporting this proposal.

• Click here to fill in your name into a "standard letter" and send it to Governor Corzine.

• Click here to see the "standard letter" in ".pdf" format. You then can print it, sign it, and mail it in.

• Click here to see the "standard letter" in ".doc" format if you want to customize it. You can then print it, sign it, and mail it in.

Help Get The Word out!

Please help get the word out - ask your neighbors to visit this Web page, email them the link to this Web page, encourage them to contact the DEP using our website.