As concerned residents of Thomastown Township in Wadena County, we would like to suggest alternatives to previously proposed sites for the new Allied Radio Matrix Emergency Response (ARMER) tower to be erected in the Thomastown and Bullard townships area.
The "Aldrich" tower was originally to be erected in Aldrich, not nearly as far east and north as it is now being proposed. Residents of the Thomastown and Bullard Townships are being misled as to the necessity of the tower to be erected in this specific area. There is leeway, and the tower does not have to be erected at the new proposed location. Many of the residents have already suggested Old Wadena or even the Staples airport as possible site locations. These locations are not nearly as intrusive as the previously suggested sites. In fact, Wadena County has offered Old Wadena as a potential site. The ARMER tower will be used by the Wadena County Sheriff's Department as their main transmitter/receiver; therefore, shouldn't the county take responsibility for locating a site on county land? Why should the tower be forced on residents who do not have a need for this tower or desire it in our "backyard." When we call the Wadena County Sheriff's Department, we already have emergency services coverage: fire, ambulance and police. Furthermore, we were told that the Minnesota Department of Transportation is exempt from zoning requirements for this tower. So Old Wadena is a good site especially since the residents impacted by the proposed site have suggested it and the county has offered it. It is also interesting to note that of the land owners that are willing to sell their land for this tower, many of them do not live in this area or even in this county! Their temptation to make an easy buck has impacted the very reason many of us live here -- the untouched beauty and elegance of nature itself.
We were informed that the cost of building this tower would be: $2.5 million. Who pays this? We do, as taxpayers of Wadena County! In fact, we were also informed that there is another option: rebuild the existing Wadena County emergency services tower which would be about half the cost. In today's economic environment, we cannot afford to waste taxpayer dollars when there is a much less expensive alternative available. MnDOT has implied through its notice of construction letters that the ARMER tower is a done deal. However, we were informed in March that Wadena County has not even approved the tower yet, and may not approve it at all! Furthermore, many of us have been kept in the dark regarding impact studies: environmental, wildlife, and health. Where are these public studies and why haven't they been disseminated to the residents of Wadena County? The first notice of tower construction stated that this would be a 330 foot tower with a 12 by 30 foot equipment shelter surrounded by a chain link security fence. The second notice of tower construction stated that there was a correction and the 330 foot tower was actually a 180 foot tower. This was presented as a misprint, when in fact the Federal Aviation Administration would not allow the 330 foot tower due to aviation safety specifications. Why is information being presented so misleading or not at all? In fact, the first inquiry over a year ago asking land owners to sell land did not even mention the height of the tower, the 12 x 30 foot equipment shelter or even the chain link security fence.
Our property values will plummet with the presence of this tower, building, and fence, while our taxes will increase! Many of the residents of Thomastown and Bullard Townships chose their homes as an oasis far away from the intrusions of the city. This region is a place to live in a land with less man-made structures to mar the enjoyment of nature. If the ARMER tower absolutely has to exist, why can't we decide on a location that has maximum benefits to all involved? Forcing this onto residents of Wadena County who do not want or need this tower doesn't represent a democracy. Where is our right to vote on this matter? MnDOT will conduct an informational meeting regarding this matter on May 7 at 7 p.m. at the Thomastown Town Hall, at 241st Avenue and County Highway 2. Let your voice matter!
David Glass and Karen Kimel
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