Maroc - MYMUSKOKANOW.COM - A La Une - 15/Aug 15:41

Potential health issues noted as Bracebridge council votes proposed cell tower

Rogers' proposal to build a telecommunications tower near Goodale Marina along Hwy. 118 E. in Bracebridge has received pushback from residents and Bracebridge council.  During the Aug. 15 council meeting, six residents spoke out against the proposal for the close to 300-foot-tall tower, which would include antennas, a lightning rod, and an obstruction light.  A 25-page letter was sent by Rogers to council in July suggesting a decision to not let them move forward with the project is outside "the town's jurisdictional authority and are constituently invalid."  However, Harold Elston, a lawyer with Barriston Law who is consulting with the town on the matter, told council Wednesday afternoon that Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada (ISED), which is a department of the federal government, is interested in hearing from the town prior to making a decision.  According to the Government of Canada's website, ISED "is not involved in the specifics of tower installations," but does set the law through the Radiocommunication Act. It's also noted ISED only gets involved "when there is an impasse" between the municipality and company and may decide on the issue.  During the Aug. 7 Planning and Development Committee meeting, council approved a motion advising ISED the cell tower proposal "has been undertaken in accordance with the town's protocol for antenna systems."  But that didn't sit well with some residents.  Natasha Perry lives along Hwy. 118 E. and spoke to council during its recent meeting, noting her home is the closest residential property to where the tower is proposed to be situated. She added she's lived there for over a decade with her kids. "Now we have the real possibility of our kids having to sleep every night at the base of a 300-foot cell tower," she continued.  She urged council to be stronger with what they say to ISED and do more to explain the concerns residents have with the proposal as it currently stands.  Tammy Beck also spoke during the meeting noting she not only lives near the location in question, but is diagnosed with electromagnetic sensitivity disorder, also known as radiation sickness. She explained the frequency given off by wireless devices - like a cell tower - cause a myriad of "intolerable and debilitating symptoms," including headaches, brain fog, and difficulty concentrating.  "All this while the telecom industry claims that their cell tower signal strength is low enough it can't injure me," added Beck.  She, like Perry, called on council to express nonconcurrence on the proposal and mention their concerns about the health-related risks.  After a long discussion around what council can or can't say, along with what they're comfortable mentioning, an amendment to the motion that was approved during the recent committee motion was made.  "Health concerns" was added to the list of concerns being forwarded to ISED. The proximity to nearby buildings and facilities like Perry's home and Goodale Marina's snowmobile track along with the impact vegetation removal may have on neighbouring properties are the other issues noted.  It was also added that council "does not support" the proposed telecommunications tower at its currently proposed location.  The MyMuskokaNow.com newsroom has reached out to Victoria McKay, public and municipal relations coordinator for Rogers, to comment on the next steps for the telecommunications company.  The consultation process for the proposed tower was held earlier this year with anyone wanting to comment on the proposal asked to reach out to McKay.  The post Potential health issues noted as Bracebridge council votes proposed cell tower appeared first on My Muskoka Now.