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Neighbors Hear T-Mobile's Case

T-Mobile's day in court has arrived. The wireless company came to New Canaan Tuesday, bringing with them the Connecticut Siting Council, to hold public hearings about their proposed cell phone tower at 208 Valley Road. Neighbors like Keith Simpson stopped by the site to check out the opening attraction, when the company flew a three-foot-diameter balloon 120 feet in the air–or at least as high as the weather allowed.

"I think it's safe to say that today was more or less a bust in terms of the balloon flight," Michael Libertine, one of T-Mobile's representatives, said at the hearing later in the afternoon at Town Hall. Winds as fast as 15 mph and eventually heavy rains stopped the balloon from reaching its full height. Still, it will stay there until the open public hearing at 7 p.m. for neighbors to see where the tower will reach.

Simpson, who lives near the hospital, said he didn't mind the thought of a cell phone tower just beyond his backyard. "I just wish they didn't have to take down as many trees," Simpson said. Although the company will try to keep as many trees as possible to hide the base of the tower from view, they outlined a square of trees about 10 yards by 10 yards that they will need to remove.

Still, like other neighbors, Simpson said he thinks "improving cell phone reception is a good idea." Frank Morabito, materials management director for Silver Hill, said residents asked the hospital to lease the land to T-Mobile to help emergency vehicles also. "The town's emergency vehicles have a hard time getting reception out here," he said. "This would be great for the emergency response."

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