Southwick Planning Board Conditionally Approves Juniper Road Wireless Tower Before Grant Deadline

SOUTHWICK -- April 28, 2026, Southwick Planning Board conditionally approves a $500,000 emergency communications tower for 20 Juniper Road against a June 30 grant deadline. The board voted 4-0 to grant a wireless communications facility special permit and site plan approval, departing from its standard practice of waiting for a written decision before voting, because the grant funding gap, roughly $280,000 of the total cost after the town's $220,000 commitment, would be lost if construction did not begin promptly. Chair Jessica Thornton acknowledged the unusual step: "It is out of the order of this board to close a hearing and then vote on a decision that is not in front of us." The approval is contingent on a confirming letter from town counsel Nicole Parker on an easement with abutting landowner Mr. Wally. In other action, the board continued a contentious public hearing on property owner Ben Eggleston's request to convert 16 marina boat slips at 141 Congamond Road from accessory restaurant use to general rental use for the 2026 season, with Thornton warning the proposal risked converting a restaurant-primary permit into a full marina operation.