[May 24, 2013] Pastor blasts county commissioners over Bethel radio tower Tweet May 24, 2013 (Reading Eagle - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Protests against locating an emergency radio communications tower in Bethel Township continued Thursday when the Rev. David Kistler accused Berks County officials of using strong-arm tactics to force the township supervisors to reverse a decision against amending zoning regulations. Instead of working out a deal to use a nearby tower owned by American Tower Co., the county is trying to manipulate the zoning requirements to make the problematic Hill Road site work, he said. "You descended on them (the supervisors) this past Monday in full force to get them to change their minds," Kistler said. "You are spending our tax dollars on legal maneuvers that aren't necessary. We resent that." Commissioner Mark C. Scott said the county would prefer to use an existing tower and save money, but the existing tower cannot support five more antennas. "We're working to get this up in a timely fashion and at a reasonable cost," he said. "The actions we pursued in Bethel Township accomplish that." Resident Frank Welker said the residents aren't against emergency services. They just want the commissioners to make good decisions that won't alter the character of the neighborhood they love, he said. The Bethel tower is part of a new $60 million emergency communications system to improve radio coverage in difficult-to-reach areas and provide a system that would allow all emergency responders to communicate effectively. At the same time, the county is meeting Federal Communications Commission requirements to make technical improvements. The system must be operational by March 31. The township zoning hearing board approved the tower location on Hill Road April 30 after seven months of lengthy hearings and testimony, but it required the county to meet special conditions county officials said would be costly and delay construction. A majority of supervisors at the meeting Monday agreed to make the requested zoning changes. In related business, Scott and Commissioner Kevin S. Barnhardt approved a 29-year lease for a communications tower at Mohnton Fish and Game Protective Association off Hunters Road in Cumru Township. The county will make an upfront payment of $360,000, based on a monthly rate of $1,250 over the life of the lease. The county presented plans to the Cumru zoning board May 14. A decision is expected June 11. Contact Mary Young: 610-478-6292 or [email protected]. ___ (c)2013 the Reading Eagle (Reading, Pa.) Visit the Reading Eagle (Reading, Pa.) at readingeagle.com Distributed by MCT Information Services [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]