Vertical Bridge, the company set to build a cell tower in Nucla, participated in a meeting with town officials on June 18 at 2 p.m. The meeting was held online, but Nucla citizens were invited to come to Town Hall and listen in. Though no public comment was permitted, people could submit questions beforehand, and some did.
Town Clerk Melissa Lampshire was present as were trustees, though Mayor Paula Brown had a previous commitment. At least four officials from Vertical Bridge were present, including Jeanette Davis, the project manager for the Nucla tower.
Tim Pierce, mayor pro tem, officiated the meeting and told the cell tower company that there’s been significant pushback from the community because of the current site. He read what he said was a main question from the opposition: "Are you aware that public opposition to the tower is so strong that community members are preparing to file lawsuits, and that we have documented evidence that the town skipped a required legal step in approving the lease, specifically a public hearing and vote, required by Colorado law before changing the tower location?”
Pierce said the location was approved in a regular board meeting, however, which was open to the public. Pierce said it might be good for the Vertical Bridge team to come to Nucla to answer public questions.
Representatives from Vertical Bridge said it sounded like the town board went through the proper channels, and that’s “great news.” They also said they understood the town board went through several locations and settled on the site at the top of town. Vertical Bridge associates said they thought there was already a fiber tower existing in that same spot. Pierce affirmed there was a tower there already, one owned by the local communication company. Still, he said the new tower has created concern, especially because of 5G questions related to health and more.
Again, Pierce asked for Vertical Bridge to come to Nucla and address concerns, because it’s not in the board’s “wheelhouse” to speak about 4G versus 5G.
Vertical Bridge’s spokespeople said “absolutely” they’d come to town and visit, and it sounded like a concern about health, not necessarily the tower, though Pierce said some aesthetic complaints are being voiced, as well as historical ones.
Pierce asked what stage the process was in. Vertical Bridge associates said they’ve spent $49,000 already for the tower, for design visits, engineering and more. They still need to do some environmental and historical paperwork.
T-Mobile will be the anchor tenant of the tower, Vertical Bridge representatives said.
Pierce asked about breaking the lease. Again, officials said they’ve invested nearly $50,000. They said the can give Nucla citizens some 5G information, so there’s no health concern. They said anyone “can find crazy stuff on the internet.”
The Town of Nucla needs at least 10 days in advance to hold a public meeting, and they with Vertical Bridge are looking at dates, which will be announced.
Pierce asked if locations could be moved, away from the school.
“How open are you to shifting the location?” Pierce asked.
Vertical Bridge associates asked Pierce to send the possibilities. They’ll run it by their customer, T-Mobile and their engineers. Pierce asked about the cost of moving locations, and Vertical Bridge staff reiterated they’ve spent $49,000 but could do rent abatement, meaning the tower company would get free rent from Nucla, until “costs are satisfied.”
Vertical Bridge officials said they’ve been doing this work for 30 years, and they’re sure they can settle the matter with the people of Nucla.
