Industrial Tower and Wireless sues Hancock over cell tower denial - Monadnock Ledger

A small New Hampshire town just became a case study in how much power local residents actually have when a wireless company wants to put a cell tower in their backyard. The Hancock Planning Board voted 3-1 to deny an application from Industrial Tower and Wireless to build a cell tower off Lee Farm Road — and now the company is suing the town over that denial.

For parents and homebuyers who think carefully about EMF exposure, this story is worth watching closely, not just for the legal fight but for what it reveals about how these decisions actually get made. The board's denial wasn't based on health claims — it centered on property values. The town commissioned an independent appraisal from certified residential appraiser Louis Manias, who concluded that "even a partial view of a cell tower would impact property values." That report directly contradicted one submitted by the applicant's own appraiser, Mark Correnti, who argued that nearby homes sold at the same prices and ratios as comparable properties elsewhere.

Why the Data Fight Matters

The dueling reports used different analytical methods — Correnti relied on a group-paired approach comparing median prices across groups of homes, while the board's independent reviewer favored more traditional matched-pairs analysis comparing nearly identical properties. Correnti also acknowledged errors in his report, including an incorrect town name, and explained he excluded data from Hancock's existing tower on Norway Hill Road because he judged it too far from homes to be relevant.

This kind of dispute isn't unique to Hancock. Across the country, towns are wrestling with the same question: how do you weigh a wireless company's coverage needs against a community's concerns about what a tower nearby might mean for daily life, home value, and peace of mind? For families who've chosen a home specifically to minimize exposure to cell tower radiation, decisions like this one matter enormously — and they show that planning boards can, and do, push back when the evidence presented doesn't hold up.

What This Means If You're House-Hunting or Already Settled

If you're currently evaluating a property with a nearby tower proposal — or living with one already approved — it's worth remembering that these legal battles can take months or years to resolve, and outcomes vary widely by town. In the meantime, many health-conscious households focus on what they can control inside the home. That might mean looking into EMF shielding paint for rooms facing a tower, or swapping out everyday appliances for lower-EMF alternatives, like low-EMF hair dryers or even low-EMF air purifiers, to reduce overall exposure at home.

Hancock's fight is far from over, and the lawsuit will likely determine whether the town's denial holds up. For now, it's a reminder that these decisions are rarely simple — and that organized, informed residents can shape the outcome.

Originally reported by Transcript