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Wednesday, March 7, 2007 · Page 7 Tower deal irks Colchester resident BY ANDY COMBER A resident of Colchester illage feels the town hould have consulted the ommunity before allowng the construction of a ommunication tower near he centre of the village. "There was no public eeting, we had no say," aid Milt Dzodin, a U.S. itizen with residences in olchester and in ichigan, speaking of a 60-foot tower erected by elus on the Town of Essex ater treatment plant proprty in Colchester. In a letter to Telus sent eb. 19, Dzodin asked one f Canada's leading elecommunications comanies to halt construction. "I understand that the own of Essex will receive emuneration from your ompany for this location nd I understand under fedral law you can't be estricted as to placement," rote Dzodin, in a letter to elus President and CEO Darren Entwistle. "What I don't understand is that a corporate giant like Telus doesn't think that people have a right to live in a rural farming village and not have a cellular tower sticking up like a sore thumb," he wrote. A cell phone user himself, Dzodin recognizes the need for communication towers to serve local cell phone users, but he feels the tower could have been situated in a neighbouring farm field, just outside the village. "They could have made it look nicer, too" said Dzodin, complaining that the tower is one of "bare bones construction." "I've seen monopoles and some towers that look like trees...they camouflage it," he said. Kevin Carter, a building inspector with the Town of Essex, said that communication towers that exceed 16.6 metres above ground level, such as the Carter said that the Colchester project received a building permit, and is being inspected under municipal and provincial laws. However, telecommunications are governed by federal jurisdiction, and not subject to provincial legislation or municipal bylaws, he said. The governing body, Industry Canada, encourages all proponents of radiocommunication facilities to comply with local zoning by-laws where they exist. However, local bylaws cannot prevent a radiocommunication facility from being built, as Industry Canada has the final authority over radiocommunication towers and facilities under the Radiocommuni-cation Act. On their website, Industry Canada notes that local concerns can be taken into consideration during the consultation process with the proponent of the radiocommunication facility and municipal land use authorities. "Telus determined where they needed a tower," said Carter, noting that Telus Mobility had made the request to the town to install communication equipment at the Harrow and Colchester South Water Treatment Plant last spring. The Town of Essex entered into an agreement with TM Mobile Inc. (Telus Mobility) under town by-law #734, which was approved by the town in May 2006. It is reported that the town will receive $4800 annually in lease payments under the deal. "The town should take any money they receive and put it into improvements for the village," said Dzodin, "that is the least they can do." As yet, Dzodin has not received a response from Telus. No input ­ A resident of Colchester Village, Milt Dzodin recently voiced concerns over a lack of communication between the town and villagers regarding the installation of a communication tower in the village. Colchester tower, are defined as "a building" under the Ontario Building Code. Essex Athletic Association Presents: THE 1ST ANNUAL BOYS AND GIRLS BASKETBALL SPRING LEAGUE Date: Tuesdays & Thursdays from 6:30pm - 8:30pm at Essex District High School April 24, 26 May 1, 3, 8, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29 The Essex Athletic Association is providing a skills-based instructional league for boys and girls in grades 4 - 8. This is an opportunity to have your sons/daughters learn more about basketball in a fun, non-threatening environment! ental · 10 - 1 hour fundam developing sessions play · 10 - 1 hour league mes and championship ga , · Prizes for Camp MVP st Most Improved, Be Attitude · Free t-shirt · Small group and individual instruction · Shooting contests Camp Features: Improve Your Skills Camp Fee: $100 Sign-Up Forms must be submitted no later than March 26th, 2007 Please send Sign-Up sheets and cheques to: Essex District High School 244 Talbot S. North Essex, ON N8M 2E1 Ph.: 519-776-7344