Southwick Planning Board Moves Closer to Approving Public Safety Tower Waivers

SOUTHWICK — April 7, 2026 — Southwick Planning Board continues public safety tower hearing, flags July grant deadline. The board unanimously voted April 7 to continue a special permit hearing for a 150-foot public safety communications tower at 20 Juniper Road to April 28, with members signaling they will likely waive the normally required balloon float test given the site's seclusion and the tower's exclusively municipal use. Michael Gerrard of the Southwick Police Department told the board the project — funded through a 9-1-1 Developmental Grant administered by the City of Westfield — is on its fourth extension and must be invoiced before July 1, 2026. Steve Connor of Green Mountain Communications said the tower, paired with a 10-by-10-foot equipment shelter and a 14-kilowatt propane generator, would serve as the regional hub for a microwave backhaul communications network linking Southwick to sites in Westfield and Granville. In a separate item, resident Tony Schultz of Noble Steed Crossing told the board the subdivision road has collapsed twice in front of his property and that inspections by the Department of Public Works have been inadequate — allegations Chair Jessica Thornton said she will raise directly with Chief Administrative Officer Nicole Parker.