Whitney offers to buy land to prevent new cell tower

Richard Whitney has been very vocal about his thoughts on a proposed cell tower at 20 Indian Path.

He doesn’t want it. And he’s willing to pay up to $5 million to prove how serious he is.

Whitney’s surprising offer — the funds would come from a private trust, not his personal bank account — occurred Tuesday night as the Select Board heard a request from Crown Castle for the town to, once again, put up a Request for Proposals to lease the town-owned property.

Crown Castle had won an initial bid on the property last fall for a cell tower, but did not receive approval from fall Town Meeting. Its attorney, Victor Manougian, told the board Moderator Ray Mead did not allow him to speak at Town Meeting.

“Ideally, we don’t want to go off town property,” he said, but he acknowledged the company has a backup plan for a cell tower site. Should they not obtain approval for the Indian Path site, they are prepared to reapply for a tower at 84 Rear Snow Road.

Whitney, who lives on Greaney Road near both parcels, said he’s already considered that move and has approached the property owner.

“He said I could buy his property but I would have to take the applicant with me,” he said, adding that he would refuse the property use once the sale, for about $300,000, was complete. “I’d rather buy it outright than rent it.”

He’d also be willing to buy the town-owned parcels on Indian Path, he said, suggesting that taxpayers would see more of a benefit if the land was sold outright rather than leased.

Board members questioned whether the tower topic needed to be brought up again so soon after its defeat at Town Meeting.

“I would not do a special Town Meeting just for this,” Doreen DeFazio said.

The Select Board will discuss the property at their next meeting.

This was not the first time Whitney spoke up at Tuesday night’s session. He also used the public comment time at the top of the meeting to lambaste Chairperson Jennifer Thomas and members of the Community Preservation Committee for their criticism of Planning Board member Justin Wood during their Nov. 7 meeting.

During discussion at fall Town Meeting, and after on his Facebook, Wood spoke in favor of a proposed Capital Planning Improvement Committee, coming into conflict with CPC members Thomas and Paul Scarlett.

Whitney singled out comments by Thomas and CPC member Jim Gallagher that he believes is a violation of state ethics laws, and said he may file a complaint with the state Ethics Commission.

“Mr. Gallagher, and you, and the other two that were there owe Justin a public apology,” Whitney said.

After Whitney and Thomas sparred about specifics, Donna Stock interrupted. The public comment portion of the meeting is meant to be a time for comments, not negotiations, she noted.

“You’re right, Donna, I overstepped my bounds and I apologize. I’m not supposed to get worked up,” Whitney said, eluding to the heart attack he suffered at fall Town Meeting. “I do think we don’t need bullying. It’s got to stop. We gotta get along. All the boards have to get along.”

He and Thomas sat down after the end of the Select Board meeting for a quiet conversation.