UPDATE: Berlin Town Administrator Laura Allen said on Thursday representatives from American Tower agreed to remove the LED light and replace it with a softer, red, flashing light to be active during the nighttime. Allen said the light was necessary for air traffic safety. She said the new light “should alleviate any disturbances.” 

The original story follows. 

Light pollution from a cell tower near a Berlin substation has irked residents. The town, this week, may have found a creative solution to the problem.

By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(March 15, 2018) Light pollution from a cell tower just outside Town of Berlin limits has been giving residents – and town officials – headaches.

However, a solution appears to be within reach.

After a councilman reported the issue at a public meeting last month, Town Administrator Laura Allen called Worcester Emergency Services Director Fred Webster for assistance. According to Allen, Webster told her the tower, near a Berlin substation on Schoolfield Street, was not on county property either.

“He gave me the name and number of the company that manages the tower,” Allen said during a council meeting Monday. “I called to find out that they don’t manage the tower – another company managers the tower. I called that person three times and they have not returned my phone calls.”

Allen said she asked Town Attorney David Gaskill to “step in and use his legal muscle” to find a solution, but he was also unsuccessful.

“I received no answer to my calls,” Gaskell said.

Allen then decided to get a little creative.

“The name of the company, for the benefit of the reporters in the room, is American Tower. The person who is not returning my phone calls is Erin Rumley. Her phone number is 781-926-4583,” Allen said.

Reached for comment on Tuesday, Rumley said she had been inundated with phone calls.

“You’re probably the ninth person who’s called me about it,” she said. “I’ve just returned the city attorney’s call and I have our regulatory team looking into the issue. It is a known issue – I certainly don’t have an answers or a solution right now.

“We’re going to be working, probably, with the town directly on this,” she added.

Allen, on Tuesday, confirmed Rumley contacted Gaskill.

“I think it’s really unfortunate it took me making that announcement and the town attorney calling her to get the company to return a pretty basic phone call,” Allen said.

“I’m glad to hear she’s got the regulatory people looking into it. It’s a form of light pollution and people take that seriously,” she continued. “My understanding is other residents called her – I don’t know if she’s returned their phone calls – but it’s nice to know and I’m glad to hear she’s been responsive at least to [the Gazette’s] phone call.”