Towers were on the agenda at Nucla’s Dec. 10 monthly meeting. First was discussion of the “AT&T COL04443A Antenna Modification.” Some citizens present for the town meeting asked about 5G technology being a part of the the modification, but Mayor Paula Brown said she didn’t see anything about that in the paperwork. The tower is a smaller tower, closer to the town shop. Trustees approved the modification work, and Town Clerk-Manager Jessica Davis told the Forum the following morning “it’s nothing major.”
Also on the agenda, which some in the community consider to be more consequential, was the approval of the Vertical Bridge building permit for a cell tower at the top of town, an issue that has been highly debated for the last year.
The site is slated to be next to NNTC’s existing tower and across from Jane Thompson, who has been contesting the build since January.
Aimee Tooker, of Nucla and the local Club 20 Representative, spoke in opposition to the agenda item. She read a letter from West End Public Schools District, dated Oct. 28, that also expresses objection, specifically concerns about health and safety. The letter asked the town to consider alternate sites. Tooker, a mother with children of her own in the school district, asked the board about the letter and their response to it.
The mayor said she didn’t feel at liberty to discuss her recent conversation with Superintendent Clint Wytulka.
Mayor Pro Tem Tim Pierce told those in attendance he has worked on an alternative location, and he has hoped to move the Vertical Bridge tower to county land at the airport in Nucla, Hopkins Field. He said the county has even agreed to serve as host to the structure, but Vertical Bridge representatives haven’t responded.
Tooker asked the board if they felt “OK with students leaving” the district. She said she’s heard 14-21 kids could withdraw, if the tower, in close proximity to the school, is built.
Trustee Joseph Hittinger told the board it was time to move forward. Though the vote was not unanimous, and Pierce was a “no,” the motion did carry, and the permit has been approved.
The Forum spoke with Wytulka on Dec. 12. Then, he said there is a chance parents might pull their kids, and that is “a risk, which is concerning to the district.” Wyutlka said the district spent four years helping to get Nucla’s new multi-million dollar school built, and it’s unfortunate that the community is in this situation. He’s working with the school board on salary increases, character education and other initiatives focused on teaching and learning. Does he wish there would have been a community survey or discussions early on about best places for a new cell tower? Yes. Wytulka said he doesn’t blame anyone, and he knows this is an emotional and divisive issue for many people. He said he’s in a tough situation.
Katey Herland, of Redvale, has been opposed to the tower’s site location next to the school. She told the Forum Dec. 12 that she would pull her three kids from West End Public Schools, if it’s built at the top of town.
Tooker had this to say after the meeting: “My husband and I have built our home, our family and invested in the future of this community," she said. "We currently do not have plans to pull our students from the district, but as one of Nucla’s most dedicated community champions, it gives us much pause and reflection on what advocacy and projects he and I will be undertaking in the future. Motivation to improve the Town’s tax base and bottom line is difficult without the town board's clear support for the community, businesses, history, and school district."
