Waterbury’s zoning commission voted unanimously in approval of a controversial Verizon Wireless cell site at a public hearing on Wednesday night.
The cell site will be built inside the Masonic Temple in Waterbury’s Town Plot neighborhood.
Several residents strongly opposed the site, calling it a health risk due to radio frequency emissions.
“I’ll tell you, being a two-time cancer survivor, yes I am concerned. And why should the government tell me that I can’t bring those concerns to the table?” One resident passionately asked at the hearing.
The Free Masons argued that the frequencies would not be harmful and that the increased cell service will actually benefit the community. The Masonic Temple will receive $26,000 a year from Verizon which will be put towards charity, the Masons said.
The cell site will increase cell coverage in Waterbury and help with the growing demand for data capacity, a Verizon spokesperson said.