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Mono Council opposes bid for Internet tower

June 21, 2018   ·   0 Comments

By Jasen Obermeyer

Mono council has unanimously opposed a proposal by Xplornet, an Internet service provider, to erect a 45-metre tower on the 7th Line EHS, south of 30 Sideroad.

The subject was discussed at last Tuesday’s (June 12) council meeting, where representatives from Xplornet gave a presentation to council and staff.

In a letter to council from David Trotman, the town’s director of planning, he stated that the “Town of Mono Telecom Protocol has not been fully completed,” including the evaluation of public authority and alternative sites have not been addressed.

“A tower is an ugly thing,” explained Mono Mayor Laura Ryan. “We are very aware of our surroundings,” and being in the middle of a country area, “it is in the wrong location…it makes absolutely no sense.”

Xplornet’s service differs from cellular service in that their antenna must maintain a line of sight microwave link with another tower located north of Everett near the hamlet of Tioga. Xplornet’s data showed that they could not achieve that line of sight from the Rogers tower, necessitating the proposed 45-metre-high Cedarville tower 1.5 km to the southeast.

The representatives explained that it was not technically feasible to place their antenna on the existing Rogers cell tower at Highway 89 and Airport Road. Several residents spoke out on the conflicting information given during the open house presentation and the one given to council. Questions were raised on the tower’s location and the limited level of service.

Mayor Ryan added the residents in Mono “are fighters,” and “there’s nothing that’s going to change my mind.”

She explained the Rogers tower went up and others because they are along a highway corridor.

Council unanimously approved a motion to direct staff to inform the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) that council does not support the proposal.

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