CMP’s proposed upgrade would go right through our backyard, taking some of our property with it. If placed as planned, the line would be 10 steps from the corner of our house (where our baby sleeps), and just 72 feet from the edge of the pole.

A CMP spokesman said electromagnetic frequencies reduce after 100 feet, so is there a danger being only 72 feet away? Our pediatrician has said that it would be unsafe for the children, and we have done research on the effects of EMFs; they can cause childhood leukemia or lymphomas. Our 8-year-old has already had two lymphomas.

At a site visit, the CMP project manager said property values would not go down, but at a city council meeting, CMP said property value would go down for three to five years. That’s three to five years my children are exposed to EMFs. What’s the truth?

We have nothing against CMP, we are just concerned for our children’s health. We contacted a lawyer who told us that since the new line would pose a public or private nuisance (its effects on property values), we, as homeowners, should be compensated.

So we are asking CMP to buy our property. It costs a lot to move, and there is emotional stress (we had bought the house intending to stay and raise our children, even grandchildren). We have put a lot of time and money into the house. It would cost CMP little, comparatively, to do the right thing.

David and Tammy Noyes, Lewiston