By Sean Flannelly — Correspondent
Looking for better cell service in Concord Center?
Please hold.
This summer, the town sought proposals for a cell tower atop The Umbrella Arts Center to address a chronic lack of service. But that coverage gap will exist a while longer: the entry of the first and only contender, Verizon Wireless, was rejected as “noncompliant and nonresponsive” to the town’s guidelines.
Deputy Town Manager Megan Zammuto said Verizon’s response missed requirements such as “a proposed schedule of milestone events, an inventory of the necessary equipment, and a communications plan.”
“While we are disappointed that this RFP (request for proposals) did not result in a viable project,” Zammuto said, “we know there is interest in this location to improve cellular service in Concord Center, and we remain committed to solving this public safety problem.”
A Verizon spokesperson did not immediately respond to a Concord Bridge request for comment.
Now, Concord is working with town counsel to review the RFP and issue a second version within the next few weeks, while moving ahead with a request for proposals for the Walden Street landfill site.
Placement pushback
While there’s been plenty of concern voiced about Concord’s spotty cell service, from the daily inconvenience to worries about connectivity in emergencies, the choice of location for the tower has garnered criticism from some community members.
Multiple residents have written to the Select Board with concerns about a potential Umbrella tower’s effects on nearby residents and the building’s staff. In mid-July, for example, resident Beth Knauss wrote to express general support for a cell tower — but not at the Umbrella, nor at Trinitarian Congregational Church, another site that’s been discussed.
The landfill would be a better choice, Knauss argued. “We can achieve better cell coverage for Concord250 and for the long term without compromising our health and safety,” she wrote.
Another resident letter, posted without a name, suggested pursuing the municipal Public Works site at Keyes Road.
While a 2024 Annual Town Meeting article to put a cell tower at that site was withdrawn, the writer insisted Keyes Road remains “the only viable location in Concord Center to offer at least some distance from homes and schools.”
Debating potential health risks
Though the Federal Communications Commission says there’s no heightened danger in living near cell towers, critics say there’s not enough long-term research to know conclusively. However, a 2024 review by the World Health Organization of 63 studies found no causal link between mobile phones or cell towers and the risk of developing cancer.
The Umbrella cupola was Verizon’s top choice for a tower site in 2018, the Concord Journal reported at the time. The Select Board that year voted against installing another tower on town property after some residents pushed back with health concerns.
Zammuto said any successful tower proposal will outline the construction impacts and any ongoing effects on the site — information which would be communicated to The Umbrella.
Eileen Williston, executive director at Umbrella, said staff continue to talk with the town but have not to date taken a position on the tower.
“We are looking forward to learning more as the process continues,” she said.
In response to the news that the first proposal was denied, Umbrella spokesperson Stewart Ikeda said the organization appreciates that the town is being diligent in the review process.
