This new cellphone tower at at Bathurst Street and Elgin Mills Road has residents upset, however, Bell Canada says it exhausted all options when search for places to place the new tower.
Richmond Hill
March 30, 2008 06:05 AM
By: Bernie O'Neill
A cellphone service provider says it studied alternate sites for a controversial new transmission tower, but none were able to provide the level of improved service required.
Bell followed all applicable regulations and held a public information session for its Bathurst Street and Elgin Mills Road area tower, Guy Raymond, vice-president of Bell’s wireless network said in a letter.
Mr. Raymond was responding to scores of letters he received from local residents who learned Bell intended to erect the tower despite protests from residents who say the towers are a health risk.
“Wireless providers like Bell quickly respond to the need and demand for enhanced mobile coverage from residents and businesses, like the tens of thousands of people in Richmond Hill who use mobile phones for personal, professional and even emergency calling,” Mr. Raymond said.
“Like all wireless providers in Canada, Bell follows all applicable regulations and policies set forth by both the municipality and the federal government, including strict health and safety regulations,” he said.
Residents say they fear the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) given off by the towers.
The telephone companies say their towers are within federal EMF limits, which some critics say are outdated.
Mr. Raymond even pointed to Richmond Hill’s promotion of itself as a hub of technology and communications.
“Proudly calling itself Canada’s Technology Centre, the municipality’s development initiatives include a dedication to providing ‘advanced communications infrastructure’ to the community,” he pointed out.
“Bell is proud to support the Town and the broader community with the very best in mobile phone service.”
Richmond Hill Mayor Dave Barrow sent notice to residents last Friday saying he’d received word the tower was going up. The tower was erected within days.
Mr. Barrow asked Bell to delay construction until an alternate location could be found.
“We’ve tried. We’ve written the letters,” Mr. Barrow said.
Members of PACT of Richmond Hill (precautionary approach to cellular transmissions) sent a number of letters to Bell’s vice-presidents, objecting to the tower. The group of about 350 residents is concerned about five proposed towers in Richmond Hill.
The Bell tower was approved by Richmond Hill council in April 2007.
While some residents have taken their business to other companies in protest, Bell isn’t the only company with a proposal to build a tower at that intersection.
Rogers is also planning a tower for the northeast corner.
Councillors are expected to vote on the construction of the Rogers tower May 12, although it is Industry Canada that has the final say over whether or not a cellphone tower will be built.