Fiscal Responsibility & Our Parks

Though many Friends of the Park were elated when , Community First is not all that confident the cell tower issue is settled.  Verizon is just one of many companies serving the Lehigh Valley.   Forks Supervisors voted down a T-Mobile cell tower in 2007.  Obviously, a cell tower is not a recreational asset nor is its operation considered a recreational purpose. 

Verizon’s opportunity could remain open unless Supervisors rescind their April 19th vote to consider tower discussions with them. It appears some Supervisors may harbor a mistaken notion about the importance of preserving Forks’ irreplaceable parklands.  For what price are we willing to sacrifice the quiet peace and beauty of our in early mornings when residents enjoy strolling the nature paths?  For those who sit on benches watching children at play or attend our music venue, precious parkland is no place for commercial enterprise. 

When this cell tower scheme was pending, Community First reviewed all available Township public land, including municipal, recreational and educationally-zoned properties.  Braden Park is restricted by deed.  Donated by Lafayette, Braden would revert to the College if not used for recreation.  Nor would Braden Airport’s runway and flight paths conform to FAA regulations with a cell tower there. 

Newlins and Richmond Road’s 52-acre Township land is already dedicated to the new public works facility and an additional community park being planned.   Forks’ cell tower Ordinance limits maximum height to 200 feet.   A tower’s fall zone there fails to meet set back rules for the residential development and public roads that surround the 52-acres.  Furthermore, PP&L and gas line easements with the planned recreational uses are incompatible with cell towers. 

Those who would destroy public parkland to raise revenue, fail the smell test.   Consider that Palmer Township just approached Forks for a $3,000 donation to their “Miracle Baseball Field” project.  Our Supervisors volunteered three times what was asked, sending them $10,000.  Even though Forks Supervisors have cut administrative and operations budgets to the bone to avoid tax increases, serious financial issues loom. 

 Community First offers two fiscal proposals to consider.  Patch readers may agree or add more.  1) Impose an immediate moratorium on Capital Expenditures (with emergency exceptions only), and 2) Impose a retroactive two-year hiring freeze effective 1/1/12.  Keeping capital expenses, salaries and benefits under control will go a long way toward avoiding financial crisis.   Lamenting lost cell tower revenue, Supervisor Billings said, “It’s a sad day for Forks cell phone users.”  An employee of AT&T, he would prefer to meet with Verizon and work out a location acceptable to “both parties.”  Only the Board and Verizon?  Really?

Everyone knows ample private property exists for cell towers where there are no safety or regulatory impediments, or where our children play every day.  Our elected officials and Zoning Officer and Planning Commission should be on the frontlines of protecting the integrity and natural environment of our parks.  Corporate interests seldom put .  That’s why we all must remain vigilant.