Residents urge Council to relocate proposed South End cell tower, cite health and property-value concerns

Several South End residents used the public-comment period to oppose a proposed cell tower site and to urge the council to seek alternative locations. Donna Raganiz (3204 Bay Avenue) said she and her family — who have owned a nearby property for more than 25 years — oppose placing a tower near residential homes and asserted the proximity could reduce property values by "upwards of 20 to 30%." She requested that the city "aggressively work with the attorneys now involved in the litigation as well as Verizon to move the South Tower out of the neighborhood" and suggested temporary or previously proposed alternative sites.

Other speakers amplified skepticism of the process and urged the council to make public the studies and site-selection rationale that led to the proposed location. Gene McCaffrey said zoning consistency and master-plan compliance should be clarified and asked whether any study narrowed the choice to the selected properties. Council members did not provide a technical rebuttal to the property-value estimate during the meeting and noted the matter is tied to litigation and counsel advice; the mayor declined to discuss litigation specifics on the record. Several residents urged stronger public involvement and Planning Board scrutiny before any final placement decision is made.