Resident Disappointed Sask Tel’s Needs Trump Neighbourhood Concerns
Neighbourhood aesthetics and safety concerns were towered over by alleged future usage and a federal mandate to replace Chinese 5G gear by the end of 2027 at Council Tuesday afternoon.
It was round two between Elgin Park neighbourhood residents and Sask Tel about replacing a 15 meter cellular tower with a 30 meter cellular tower.
But unlike the 5 - 1 victory in 2023 to stop the installation of a 35 meter tower on the site this time around a 30 meter tower was approved in a 4 - 1 vote with only Mayor James Murdock voting with the neighbourhood.
Councillors Patrick Boyle and Jamey Logan were absent.
AREA RESIDENT HOWARD CORMIER SPOKE AGAINST THE PROPOSED NEW CELLULAR TOWER - MJ INDEPENDENT PHOTO
“I’m very disappointed because some points Sask Tel made were stretching the truth and maybe misrepresenting it,” resident Howard Cormier told MJ Independent after the vote.
He pointed out the numbers of people said to be utilizing the existing 15 meter tower by Saskatchewan Tel as not making any sense. He quoted population statistics to back up his argument.
“Like the 22,621 users that rely on that 15 meter tower; Moose Jaw is 35,000 people and you have to figure 8,000 - 10,000 under age 12 so in all reality you have 25,000 users (in all of Moose Jaw),” Cormier said.
He didn’t see technology limiting the impact of the proposed tower on the neighbourhood.
“They’re damaging a neighbourhood for the rest of our lives. For the rest of Moose Jaw’s life because once they put that tower there it’s never going to get smaller it’s just going to get bigger,” he said.
“When 6G and 7G comes in that tower is going to get bigger so they can have everybody watch videos on their phones. It’s not a good enough reason.”
Aesthetically he said the new 30 meter tower is going to ruin the neighbourhood that backs onto Elgin Park.
“It’s going to tower over the homes. It is going to tower over the park. There are lots of kids who play in that park. I just hope that tower never fails,” he said, adding “if it does I’ll be the first to sue whether it be Sask Tel or the City.”
He still insisted Sask Tel could have put a new 30 meter tower north of the cricket pitch and Kinsmen Sportsplex and then use the 1 - 3 mile radius they cover to team it together with the tower on South Hill instead of in Elgin Park.
“I’m sure they could have made it work but it all comes down to the cost of removing that tower and putting it somewhere else would be about $400,000. So it is what it is and I’m very disappointed.”
He said that it might be seven years until the tower’s radio frequencies are monitored he would personally be monitoring them and having others in the industry do the same to see if it conforms to health and safety regulations.
Cormier said it wasn’t hard to get area residents to sign a petition against the proposed tower.
He managed to get 55 signatures from 44 homes from neighbours living directly around the location. His signature gathering was restricted due to severe back problems.
“Everyone I spoke to was against it…I don’t know if they’re angry but they’re very upset that it was denied in 2023 and they thought they could live the rest of their retirement ages and their kids playing without a worry,” he said.
“Like I said it’s very disappointing but I’m happy that the Mayor disagrees with Sask Tel but it takes more than one to win. Councillor Eby voted against the tower three years ago, so did (Councillor) Jamey Logan and I’m not sure where he was tonight.”
“I’m not so disappointed in Council as I’m disappointed in Sask Tel. Sask Tel says they’re there for the community, for the people, but they don’t even think twice when they go into a neighbourhood with their huge towers,” he said.