Point Pleasant Beach has reached an agreement with Munisite to remove its 5G small cell poles from the borough, Mayor Doug Vitale announced in a Facebook post Tuesday afternoon.
“I would like to inform you that the ward has negotiated terms with Munisite to resolve the differences regarding the 5G poles installed within the ward,” the mayor said. Munisite is the infrastructure company that first installed five communications poles in June. “The settlement stipulates that Munisite will promptly remove the 5G poles that have already been installed, after which Munisite’s road use license agreement will terminate.”
The mayor explained in the post that the settlement would be finalized at the next City Council meeting on Tuesday, September 3. He also said Munisite would receive “limited” compensation for installation costs.
“In return, the Borough will pay Munisite limited compensation reflecting its actual costs of installing the poles,” he said. “The terms of the settlement will be finalized at a public meeting on Sept. 3, 2024, and prepared for Board approval.”
“We appreciate the public’s patience as we work to reach a settlement with Municite and we thank Municite for their cooperation in reaching this negotiated outcome,” Vitale said.
The mayor also said the borough will now be subject to a newly adopted small cell ordinance, which includes regulating the aesthetics of utility poles.
“Going forward, the borough will regulate 5G poles through a new ordinance governing small wireless facilities,” the mayor said. “The ordinance allows carriers access to right-of-way as required by federal law, while imposing reasonable design standards for approval by governing agencies.”
For more on this story, see the next issue Ocean StarIt will be available in bookstores and digitally on Friday.
