SUMNER – Voters at Tuesday’s special town meeting approved a 190-foot communications tower to be placed atop Upper Sumner Hill Road.

David Libby of Spruce Mountain Power Communications Corp. told the 25 people who attended the meeting that the tower would not be lighted. Federal Aviation Association guidelines require anything over 200 feet tall to be lit.

Sheri Fowler of West Sumner was concerned about radiation. When Libby said there would be none, resident Clay Schneider immediately disagreed. Libby explained that any radiation would be at the 190-foot level and that microwave ovens emitted more than the tower would.

Fowler questioned the impact on bird safety. Libby said he had never seen a dead bird at any of his towers. He said much taller broadcasting towers affected bird migration.

Libby said the site would be enclosed by a fence and each guy wire holding the tower would also have a small fence within the enclosure.

Schneider asked what assurance the town has that phone reception would reach their area. Libby said he couldn’t guarantee distances, but that the range was 4 to 5 miles.

Libby said the Fire Department and the Emergency Management Agency were assured use of the tower for their communications.

Mary Ann Haxton asked Libby if the tower wouldn’t be built until he had at least one carrier signed for it. Libby replied that was correct, but added that he couldn’t solicit the telephone companies until the town approved the tower.

Construction depends on when a carrier is contracted and then would take two to three months to build.