Tell Spring Lake, NJ Borough Council: Postpone the Verizon Settlement Vote

If you live in New Jersey, Spring Lake, NJ residents need your help.

The Spring Lake Borough Council is expected to hold a special meeting on September 15 to consider a proposed settlement with Verizon concerning wireless facilities in the Borough. The proposed settlement was negotiated without including the Spring Lake residents who are parties to this lawsuit. Residents have serious concerns about the settlement and its long-term consequences for their community.

The proposed settlement would allow Verizon to install wireless equipment on Spring Lake’s beachfront pavilions, but residents are concerned its implications could extend far beyond those locations. The settlement could open the door to additional wireless installations on Borough property and similar requests from other telecommunications providers.

Residents are also concerned about potential changes that could reduce Planning Board review and meaningful public participation in future wireless siting decisions, as well as impacts on Spring Lake’s beachfront, historic pavilions, community character, aesthetics, property values, quality of life, and the health and environmental impacts of wireless radiation.

This is not the time to rush into a settlement.

Nearby Belmar continues to fight proposed Verizon wireless installations, while important developments are unfolding at the federal level. Children’s Health Defense is pursuing federal court action seeking to compel the FCC to comply with the D.C. Circuit’s landmark 2021 decision concerning the agency’s review of its radiofrequency exposure guidelines. The D.C. Circuit recently ordered the FCC to respond to CHD’s petition after months of agency inaction.

Spring Lake residents are asking the Borough to postpone the September 15 vote and engage in open, transparent, and meaningful discussions with the community about the settlement and the best path forward.

If Borough officials proceed with the September 15 vote, residents are asking Council members to speak out against the settlement and vote NO.

Residents intend to continue fighting to protect Spring Lake and are preparing potential state court actions concerning the Borough’s actions.

Take action now. Tell the Spring Lake Borough Council: Postpone the vote. Hear from residents. Protect Spring Lake.