To the Editor:

I must confess, initially I was not terribly concerned about the location of an emergency communications tower in Berne. I had heard of the property on which it was to be built and figured it would be pretty much tucked away in the woods and would not be very visible.

It wasn’t until I saw the balloon test in February that I realized exactly where the location was in relation to the hamlet of Berne. I did a double take on the way to the transfer station. Pictures do not do justice to the view from the middle of the hamlet.

The tower will rise up 140 feet above the tree line, starkly visible from the school, the library, the Lutheran church (site of the Anti-Rent War meetings in the 1800s), and many other locations in the center of our historic hamlet. It is also prominently visible from every road leading into the hamlet of Berne.

Let me make two things clear. First, I am all in favor of doing what we need to do to keep people safe. I am not against this project; I just want to see it sited in the best possible location.

Secondly, this is not a case of “not in my backyard.” I do not personally see it from my property. It is a case of trying to have a tower sited in an area that is consistent with the goals of the town’s comprehensive plan and which minimizes the visual effect of the tower.

I appreciate that this is a big project encompassing all of Albany County. Nonetheless, I cannot help feeling that Albany County has not shown very much respect for the residents of Berne in this process.

Although they have apparently been working on this for years, they only came to the town planning board last August, offering only one location to be considered. The first draft of a proposal had so many references to other localities that it seemed to be a cut-and-paste job, not specific to the situation in Berne.

They admitted recently that they had not looked at the town’s scenic views map in which the proposed tower location is in a designated scenic viewshed, nor had they reviewed the town’s draft comprehensive plan which seeks to protect the unique beauty of this area. And the final act of disrespect was the Albany County Legislature’s vote to declare that this project was exempt from local ordinances.

There are other alternatives. One suggested by members of the community had a perfect sight line connecting it with the other towers in the project. The only drawback is that some part of Route 443 might not have the radio coverage needed. Could a small tower which would not be very visible provide that needed connection?

Another option is land at the same elevation as the proposed location, but back further from the ridgeline. Has that been thoroughly considered?

I know that Albany County has been working on this for a long time, and just wants to have the process done. But it is important to have it done right. I wish they had involved the town earlier so that some of these issues could have been sorted out. I am not aware of any small hamlet or village that has a highly visible 180 foot tower in the middle of their town. Surely we can work together for a more appropriate location for this tower.

Susan Hawkes-Teeter

Berne