Residents fuming over telecommunications tower plans

Many John Street Road area residents are upset about a Bell Mobility plan to install a telecommunications tower in the neighbourhood. 

The development was the subject of a public meeting Wednesday night at the Travelodge Airlane.

Officials with Bell said the 50-metre tall tower will bring better wireless service to the Thunder Bay area. The planned location is near the end of Regina Avenue, about 250 metres from John Street Road. 

Many people living in the area are outraged, and say Bell should have better provided information to homeowners. 

Some even say they only learned about the tower after a petition began, which led to awareness throughout the community. 

Bell did send out information forms to some in the area, but many on Regina Avenue said they were left off the list. Some of the people who spoke to Thunder Bay Television said they believe Bell is disregarding their opinions about the installation, including health, safety and land depreciation concerns. 

Even though this was a public meeting, Bell representatives did not agree to do an interview with the media there. 

By law, Bell is required to keep residents informed, who live within a 300-metre radius of the tower's location.