Circleville City Council to discuss cell tower

Circleville City Council is poised to vote on a lease agreement with AT&T for the land needed for a new cell tower.

The proposed cell tower would be constructed next to the police station and municipal court building on East Franklin Street.

The new tower would replace the current one, which would be torn down after the new one is constructed. The new tower would be in the location of the pine tree on the property.

In the proposal is approved, City Hall will be paid $24,000 per year to lease the property.

In past council meetings, residents have spoken out against the project, each with their own concerns. Some spoke about the harmful effects of radiation, some about the impact on nearby property values, the historical district impact, and more.

Councilman Tom Duvall said the property may one day be needed for an addition to the Circleville Municipal Building, as a second Municipal Court may soon be required due to an increased number of cases.

“If we outgrow the building we’ll have to build a new one because once you have a cell tower there you have no room to expand,” Duvall said at a recent council meeting in March. “We’ve lost that ability to expand. We’ve already spent, in my tenure on council, $1 million to upgrade the HVAC and control in that building. We intend to keep it there and renovating it.”

In other matters, council will discuss a second reading of an ordinance an amendment to the agreement to create the City of Circleville-Pickaway Township Joint Economic Development District to authorize the redistribution of the JEDD income tax revenue.

Council will have a first reading of an ordinance amending city code to include a City Planner position within the Department Of The City Public Service.

Council will have a first reading of an ordinance authorizing the Director Of Public Service to execute a right-of-way easement to American Electric Power Company, granting it the right to install and maintain electrical transmission lines across lands owned by the City Of Circleville and used as part of the Valvoline Oil Change.

Council will have a first reading authorizing the Circleville Pumpkin Show Inc. to operate the annual “Circleville Pumpkin Show” on various streets and sidewalks of the City Of Circleville.

Council will have a first reading of an ordinance authorizing the Director Of Public Service to enter into a contract for the purchase of two trucks for the Department Of Public Service.

The public can participate by viewing Spectrum Channel 1021 or Circlevilletv.com. or website Circlevilleoh.Gov council recordings. If the public has questions email lchancey@Circlevilleoh.Gov

Council meets at 7 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month.