A message from Village President Gallagher:
Dear Residents,
While we are currently focused on ensuring the health and well-being of our residents, we wanted to update you on a development regarding 5G small cell wireless technology. Verizon representatives recently requested a meeting with the area Village Managers and Administrators, which was then changed to a conference call, due to COVID-19.
One day prior to the conference call, the Village Managers of Clarendon Hills, Hinsdale, and Western Springs received a letter (posted on the website here, with a response from the Village’s legal representative) from Verizon stating, among other things, that they intend to start submitting permit applications related to 5G installation. The Village immediately responded to Verizon’s notice, admonishing them for taking advantage of the current COVID-19 crisis, at a time when all local resources and efforts are currently geared to managing this public health crisis.
That conference call took place on March 25. The Village Manager, along with representatives from surrounding communities, joined the call, but due to ‘technical difficulties’ on Verizon’s end, the Verizon representatives said the call was cancelled and would be scheduled for a later date. Before the call ended, however, the Village Managers engaged in a brief discussion with Verizon representatives regarding their intent to submit permit applications, and demanded that these requests be put on hold. The representatives responded by committing to everyone on the call that Verizon will not submit applications related to 5G installation until after the COVID-19 pandemic has passed.
While we still have many questions regarding 5G small cell wireless technology, we are pleased that this discussion will be put on hold so the Village can continue to devote all the resources we need to safeguard our community as best we can.
Stay healthy, and stay home as much as you can.