New ruling empowers Pittsfield Board of Health to take up cell tower issue

PITTSFIELD, Mass. – A Berkshire County Superior Court judge has essentially granted the Pittsfield Board of Health the ability work with Verizon to come up with a solution over concerns about health issues neighbors say a cell tower in Pittsfield is causing.

Courtney Gilardi said she and other plaintiffs had been told they had no case.

“I think what the issue has been is that we’ve been hearing because Verizon has a permit for the tower, there’s nothing we can do based on zoning laws,” Gilardi said. “The judge has ruled, and I think we can go forward with knowing that the board has the power at the state level to take this up in that health and safety is for every single person in the city of Pittsfield, it’s not just for some. We’re not collateral damage.”

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