Planning Board approves Fire Station 2 radio tower, accepts wireless coverage study

SUDBURY -- April 26, 2023, Sudbury Planning Board clears Fire Station 2 communications tower and frames a wireless bylaw rewrite. The board voted 3-0 on April 26 to approve a minor site plan modification adding a 30-foot tower behind the new apparatus bay at 550 Boston Post Road, with Chair Stephen Garvin recused and Vice Chair Justin Finnecke presiding. Architect Lee Rich of Castle Bowes called 30 feet "the minimum height that would help us"; Director of Planning Adam Deschano said the structure falls under the 35-foot district limit and needs no Zoning Board relief. Permanent Building Committee co-chair Craig Blake disclosed the town paid Eversource an additional $40,000 to bring permanent power underground. Wireless consultant David Maxon of Isotrope told members most of town sits in "marginal" coverage, "you're kind of scratching the bottom of the pan", and the board separately voted to post for possible pre-Town-Meeting sessions on the firearms zoning article, which member John Sugrue said he could not support as written. The board also recommended the Select Board accept a donation of five parcels off Poconoket Avenue generating roughly $850 a year in taxes.