Team Beach Voices Concerns Over 5G Deployment
Team Beach was excited to share our thoughts about the handling of the 5G technology deployment in Point Pleasant Beach to the Ocean Star in this week’s Letter to the Editor. Check out below to read the full letter.
June 21, 2024 Ocean Star Letter to the Editor
As candidates for Borough Council in Point Pleasant Beach, we are deeply concerned about the handling of the 5G technology deployment in our town. In May of 2021, the Point Pleasant Beach Council passed Ordinance 2021-22, which aimed to regulate the installation of 5G mobile technology in our town. However, this ordinance has only illuminated a critical issue: a glaring lack of due diligence and transparency.
While the ordinance was intended to provide the Borough with control over the location and appearance of 5G equipment, it appears more like a hasty, reactive measure rather than a well-thought-out, proactive strategy. This approach starkly underscores the failure by those in charge to foresee and address such significant developments in a timely manner. By waiting until the issue was imminent, they have placed our community in a precarious position where we must scramble to catch up, instead of leading with foresight and preparation.
Moreover, there are considerable concerns about the transparency of this process. The ordinance mandates detailed descriptions of proposed installations, including all subservice utilities that might be affected. However, these crucial details have not been adequately communicated to the public, nor has there been any meaningful dialogue with residents about the potential health and safety impacts of 5G technology. This lack of openness fosters distrust and leaves many critical questions unanswered.
The handling of this matter also raises serious questions about our elected officials’ commitment to maintaining the aesthetic integrity of our town. While they now emphasize the importance of controlling the visual impact of 5G equipment, this concern seems to have only surfaced after considerable public pressure. Effective leadership should proactively preserve our community’s charm, not merely react to criticism.
This issue is not isolated to Point Pleasant Beach. Neighboring towns like Belmar have faced significant challenges with 5G deployment, including legal battles and public outcry over health and aesthetic concerns. At the federal level, legislation such as H.R. 3557, the American Broadband Act of 2023, threatens to strip local municipalities of their authority to manage the placement of cell towers and small cell equipment, further complicating efforts to maintain local control. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has imposed regulations that often favor telecom companies over community interests, underscoring the need for vigilant and proactive local leadership.
As candidates, we firmly believe that due diligence and transparency are not optional—they are essential. Our approach would involve anticipating such developments and engaging the community in open, honest conversations from the outset. We would prioritize thorough planning and clear communication to ensure that all residents understand and are comfortable with the steps being taken.
It is imperative that our council understands these issues and follows up with decisive and transparent actions. The time has come for leaders who prioritize these values and truly represent the best interests of Point Pleasant Beach.
Sincerely,
EJ Geiger
Cathy Sogorka
Maggie Doucette
Team Beach Council Candidates
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ