With a vote of 38 to 8 the town approved a 180 day moratorium on cellular towers being built in Woolwich.

The planning board requested the moratorium following a meeting with William Wilson who lives on the Mountain Road, near where the second tower is going up.

Planning board chairman Allan Greene told the residents the 180 days will allow the board time to draft an ordinance the town can accept.

Currently the town has no ordinance or regulations to govern the construction of towers within the town.

Some residents were concerned the moratorium would affect the ham radio operators.

Codes enforcement officer William Longley told the group the moratorium does have the potential of limiting the ham radio operators.

We did not want the moratorium to prohibit ham radio operators, Greene said.

Moderator Crispin Connery reminded the voters the purpose of the special town meeting was to vote on the moratorium article, and since it was an ordinance it couldnt be amended.

Other concerns of the residents included a question on the health risk of the towers. Is there any proof the towers are a health risk? asked a resident.

She was told by planning board member Kitty Wheeler, There is no proven health risk but that doesnt mean there isnt a health risk.

Is it possible to restrict any future towers? asked another resident.

We can not prohibit any towers at all, answered Greene.

Can we have a height limit? was another question. Greene answered, Yes, we can.

Wilson, who had brought the problem of no ordinance to the planning board, expressed his concerns and the need for the moratorium.

The towers need to be regulated, said John House, but he indicated the land owner has a right to have a tower on his property if he chooses.

Planning board members will be holding workshops preparing the cellular tower ordinance. Residents who have input and concerns are invited to participate in the development of the ordinance.