Millburn residents who have complained for years about dropped calls and dead zones may soon see the township gain new tools to push wireless carriers toward better coverage.
The Township Committee on Tuesday, July 14, introduced an ordinance establishing updated standards for wireless telecommunication facilities, including small-cell nodes, antennas, and related equipment, TAPinto Millburn/Short Hills reported. The rules would give Millburn stronger oversight of where carriers install new infrastructure, how tall it can be, what it looks like, and whether it meets safety and neighborhood-compatibility standards.
Mayor Frank Saccomandi said the ordinance responds directly to long-standing gaps in wireless service across Millburn and Short Hills. Residents have flagged poor coverage in several neighborhoods for years, he said, even after the township authorized a 150-foot monopole on JFK Parkway and multiple small-cell installations.
"Having a high-level Verizon director engaged on this review is a very promising start," Saccomandi said at the July 14 meeting, referring to recent discussions with a senior Verizon development director about the coverage problems.
More than 100 resident reports
The township compiled more than 100 submissions from residents identifying specific dead zones throughout Millburn and Short Hills, according to TAPinto. That data was turned into a detailed heat map and sent to Verizon's RF engineering team for review.
The new ordinance fills a regulatory gap the township's own Zoning Board flagged earlier this year. When the board approved the JFK Parkway tower on January 12, its resolution noted that the township had been controlling tower placement through its municipal bid process "in the absence of a specific wireless ordinance." The 2018 Master Plan had discussed small cells and co-location, but no formal standards existed.
Under the proposed ordinance, every new wireless installation would be reviewed for safety, design, height limits, and compliance with federal regulations before approval. Saccomandi said updated local standards will help ensure future installations are placed appropriately and reduce visual impacts while improving service.
What's next
The ordinance will return for a public hearing and final vote at an upcoming Township Committee meeting. The next scheduled meeting is Tuesday, August 11, at the Millburn Education Center, 434 Millburn Avenue; the township has not yet posted the agenda for that date.
Residents can attend in person, participate via Zoom, or watch the livestream on the Millburn Township YouTube channel.
