Pittsfield cell tower opponents have found an ally in the Massachusetts Association of Health Boards

Photo of cellular antennas on cell tower.

Residents contesting a Verizon Wireless cell tower have gained a statewide ally: the Massachusetts Association of Health Boards.

The nongovernmental group, which provides legal and technical direction to local boards of health, this week filed an amicus brief in Berkshire Superior Court asserting that the Pittsfield Board of Health was “coerced in an improper manner” into dropping an April 2022 emergency order against the Verizon Wireless, owner of the tower at 877 South St.

The emergency order found that the radio frequency radiation from the cell tower was making residents sick. At least 17 residents have reported suffering from ailments such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, insomnia, skin rashes, palpitations and tinnitus and other problems since the tower started operating in August 2020. The emergency order, issued on April 11, 2022, gave Verizon a week to show cause to the board why it shouldn’t issue a cease-and-desist order, a deadline Verizon missed.

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