WATERFORD - The Planning Board voted unanimously Wednesday night that an application for a cell tower on Rice Hill was complete.

The tower is being proposed by ATC Realty of Portland and co-applicant Unicel. Global Tower Partners of Boca Raton, Fla., is a joint development partner with ATC.

The application calls for the construction of a 180-foot unlit tower on Rice Hill, which has an elevation of 1,318 feet. The tower would be situated in a 100-by-100-foot area leased from property owned by Richard and Alta Rice.

Blaine Hopkins, who represented ATC at Wednesday's meeting, said between five and six carriers offering cell phone and wireless Internet service are expected to have space on the tower. ATC has also offered space on the tower to the Waterford Fire Department free of charge.

"Rice Hill is about the only site in town that really works," Hopkins said.

He said the hill is in a central location in town and will be able to provide coverage for 80 to 85 percent of the town. The tower would also be able to integrate with existing networks in neighboring towns.

The project has received approval from the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Aviation Administration, which is required to ensure that the tower would not interfere with flight paths. Hopkins said he is still waiting on approval from the Department of Environmental Protection and the National Environmental Policy Act.

The development is expected to cost $250,000, with providers assuming the cost for installing equipment on the tower.

Chairman Tim Fanning suggested that a balloon test be done to show the height of the proposed tower and any visual effect it might have. The test was scheduled to take place from 7 a.m. to noon on Sept. 6, or Sept. 7 in the event of inclement weather.

A public hearing on the proposed tower will be held at 6 p.m. Sept. 17 at the Waterford Town Office.