Recently, I introduced before the Board of Aldermen of Nashua an Ordinance, O-97- 185 entitled "Amending the Zoning and Building Code Ordinances to Regulate Communications Towers and Antennas." This bill was intended to deal with the plethora of requests for new PCS towers which the city has seen.
I anticipate that some questions would arise regarding amateur radio towers and equipment. While we were quite cognizant of amateurs while writing the bill, such was not the case when discussing it with the press, for which I apologize. O-97-185 specifically excludes amateur radio antennas and towers. (See the definitions below.)
If you have any further questions regarding this legislation, please don't hesitate to call me at (603) 880-1606. I would welcome having some members of the amateur radio community review the bill, both to insure that it protects the amateur service, and to review how it regulates the subject towers of the telecom industry.
Definitions:
Antenna - Any structure or device used for the purpose of collecting or transmitting electromagnetic waves, including but not limited to directional antennas, such as panels, microwave dishes, and satellite dishes, and omni-directional antennas, such as whip antennas, but excluding television and radio reception antennas, amateur radio antennas, and municipal, state, or federal emergency service antennas.
Communication Tower - Any ground or roof mounted pole, spire, structure, or combination thereof higher than 50 feet free standing or 15 feet from the tower's point of contact with a roof or water tank, including supporting lines, cables, wires, braces, and masts, intended primarily for the purpose of mounting an antenna, meteorological device, or similar apparatus above grade. Television and radio reception antennas, amateur radio transmission antennas, and municipal, state, or federal emergency service antennas are excluded.