GOVERNMENT: JACKSON OKs TOWER FOR CELLULAR PHONE USE

JACKSON, Mo. -- The Jackson Board of Aldermen has approved a special-use permit for a communications tower on East Jackson Boulevard, despite continuing concerns of a nearby businessman.

The board listened to questions Monday night raised by David Warren, president of Environmental Analysis South Inc. in Jackson, about the cell phone tower. He is concerned because his 15 employees will be exposed to microwave radiation for at least eight hours a day. He also wonders about the cumulative effect of having an FM radio tower already operating nearby. The laboratory is 180 feet from the tower to be built at 4034 E. Jackson Blvd.

Warren asked whether an environmental study has been done to gauge these effects. None has.

"I just want some answers before the city grants this request," Warren said.

Crickett Lenihan, director of real estate for St. Louis-based Roberts Tower Co., told the board the tower's radiated power of 45 to 90 watts is well beneath the 500 watts the FCC allows per antenna. She also said the FCC was aware of the existing radio tower nearby when it approved plans to build the tower.

Officials from Roberts told the board the FCC does not approve each tower but rather the company's entire plan for building communications towers. This tower is being built for Sprint.

Lenihan said nobody could provide that information.

The board had tabled the request for the permit at its Oct. 16 meeting after Warren raised questions about the possible health effects of the tower. It had sought proof from Roberts that the tower had received approval from the FCC.

After the meeting, Roberts engineering director Roger Martin told Warren he will bring a radio frequency detector to the site to measure the RF before and after the tower is built. Warren shrugged when asked if that would satisfy him.

In other business, the board:

* Approved changes in benefits under the Missouri Local Government The benefits of employees who retire after Jan. 1 will be computed using a multiplier of 2 percent instead of 1.5 percent.

JACKSON BOARD OF ALDERMEN

7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 6

City Hall

Action taken

Power and Light Committee

* Accepted the report from Missouri Local Government Employees Retirement System relative to the city's proposed changes in benefits under the LAGERS system.

* Set a general municipal election for April 3 to fill the offices and mayor and board of aldermen of the City of Jackson.

* Accepted dedication of water line easements from the Jackson Elks Lodge No. 2652, Michael and Sandra Lackamp, the Rosamond M. Sander Trust and K-Bar, L.L.C.

* Approved Friday, Nov. 24 as an authorized leave day for city employees.

Street Committee

* Vacated a general utility easement between Lots 2 and 3 in Walton Subdivision.

* Approved a special-use permit for the installation and operation of a communications tower in a C-2 (general commercial) district at 4034 E. Jackson Blvd.

* Approved the minor plat of Tower Subdivision.

* Authorized the barricading of streets for the annual Veterans Day Parade at 2 p.m. Saturday.