Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have
the meanings indicated:
ABOVE GROUND LEVEL (AGL)
A measurement of height from the natural (existing) grade
of a site to the highest point of a structure.
ANCILLARY EQUIPMENT
All equipment necessary to the secure and successful operation
of a minor or major wireless telecommunications facility, including,
but not limited to: a support structure; antennas; transmitting, receiving
and combining equipment; equipment shelter containing radios and electronic
equipment; transmission cables; telephone lines; utility lines; and
backup power source.
ANTENNA
The surface from which wireless radio signals are transmitted
and received by a personal wireless service facility.
AVAILABLE SPACE
The policy that requires siting of personal wireless service
facilities on existing buildings or structures, regardless of height,
before looking to new construction opportunities. The theory is that
available space exists throughout the urban area and that it is more
cost-effective, resource-conserving and visually acceptable to place
personal wireless service facilities on available space. It is the
first preference of the City of Methuen to have personal wireless
service facilities use available space.
CAMOUFLAGED
A personal wireless service facility that is disguised, hidden
or made a part of an existing or proposed structure is considered
"camouflaged."
CARRIER
A company that provides wireless services.
CMR
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Regulation.
CO-LOCATION
The use of a single mount on the ground by more than one
carrier (vertical co-location) and/or several mounts on an existing
building or structure by more than one carrier.
CONCEALED
A personal wireless service facility that is placed within
an existing or proposed structure so that it is hidden from view is
considered "concealed."
DET
Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Energy.
DPH
Department of Public Health (Massachusetts).
ELEVATION
The measurement of height, in feet, above sea level.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (EA)
The document required by the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) when a personal
wireless service facility is placed in certain designated areas.
EQUIPMENT SHELTER
An enclosed structure, cabinet, shed or box at the base of
the mount within which are housed containing radios and electronic
equipment; transmission cables; telephone lines; utility lines; and
backup power source.
FAA
Federal Aviation Administration.
FALL ZONE
The area on the ground within a prescribed radius from the
base of a personal wireless service facility. The fall zone is the
area within which there is a potential hazard from falling debris
(such as ice) or collapsing material.
FCC
Federal Communications Commission.
GUYED TOWER
A monopole or lattice tower that is tied to the ground or
other surface by diagonal cables.
HISTORIC STRUCTURE
A structure listed on the Natural Register of Historic Places
or eligible structure for placement on the National Register of Historic
Places.
INTERIOR WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY
A minor wireless telecommunications facility located entirely
within a building or structure that is occupied or used primarily
for other purposes, but which may include ancillary equipment not
located within the building or structure, provided that such facility
and ancillary equipment are not visible from any public way or abutting
property.
LATTICE TOWER
A type of mount that is self-supporting with multiple legs
and cross bracing of structural steel.
LICENSED CARRIER
A company authorized by the FCC to construct and operate
a commercial mobile radio service system.
MINOR WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITY - TYPE 1
(1)
Any wireless telecommunications facility:
(a)
Installed on or in or attached on or to a building or existing
wireless telecommunications tower or pole or utility transmission
tower, overhead cable, smokestack, steeple, water tank or billboard
and ancillary equipment adjacent thereto;
(b)
Composed solely of antennas and ancillary telecommunications
equipment which do not extend higher than 10 feet above the highest
point of the building or structure on which the wireless telecommunications
facility is installed; and
(c)
Made of such materials or painted to blend in appearance to
the extent practicable with the building or structure upon which it
is installed.
(2)
To the extent that any tower or pole that was previously authorized
is replaced with a tower or pole which is substantially similar in
design and is not greater than the same height, or with a one-time
increase in height of not more than 10 feet, that structure shall
be deemed to be a minor wireless telecommunications facility, provided
that the original tower or pole is removed within a reasonable time
after the construction of the replacement.
MINOR WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY - TYPE 2
Any wireless telecommunications facility:
(1)
Installed in an existing building or on an existing wireless
telecommunications tower; and
(2)
Composed solely of antennas and ancillary telecommunications
equipment totally enclosed within an existing building or structure;
and
(3)
Installation of antennas and ancillary telecommunications equipment
requires no major alteration to the structure; and
(4)
The completed installation of all antennas and ancillary equipment
is not visible from a public way.
MONOPOLE
The type of mount that is self-supporting with a single shaft
of wood, steel or concrete and a platform (or racks) for panel antennas
arrayed at the top.
MOUNT
The structure or surface upon which antennas are mounted,
including the following four types of mounts:
PANEL ANTENNA
A flat-surface antenna usually developed in multiples.
PERSONAL WIRELESS SERVICE FACILITY
Facility for the provision of personal wireless services,
as defined by the Telecommunications Act of 1996. (Note: Personal
wireless service facilities are defined in the Telecommunications
Act of 1996. This definition is also provided in the definition of
"personal wireless services" below.)
PERSONAL WIRELESS SERVICES
Any wireless telecommunications services and commercial mobile
services, including cellular telephone services, enhanced special
mobile radio services, personal communications services and mobile
and radio paging services as defined in the Telecommunications Act
of 1996, 47 U.S.C. § 332(c)(7)(C)(i).
RADIOFREQUENCY RADIATION (RFR)
The emissions from personal wireless service facilities.
[Note: It is RFR, not all EMF, that is regulated by the FCC Guidelines
for Evaluating the Environmental Effects of Radio Frequency Radiation
(FCC Guidelines). The FCC Guidelines from 1-1-1997 to 10-15-1997.
Applicants are further directed to Title 105, Department of Public
Health, Chapter 122.000, of the Code of Massachusetts Regulations.]
REPEATER
A small receiver/transmitter of not more than 20 watts' output
designed to provide service to areas which are not able to receive
adequate coverage directly from a personal wireless service facility.
SECURITY BARRIER
A locked, impenetrable wall, fence or berm that completely
seals an area from unauthorized entry or trespass.
SEPARATION
The distance between one carrier's array of antennas and
another carrier's array.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT OF 1996
47 U.S.C. § 332(c)(7) preserves the authority of
municipalities to regulate the placement, construction and modification
of personal wireless service facilities, but provides that municipalities
shall not unreasonably discriminate among providers of functionally
equivalent services and shall not prohibit or have the effect of prohibiting
the provision of personal wireless service facilities.
UTILITY TRANSMISSION TOWER
Any tower that has carried or is capable of carrying lines
for the transmission of electricity at a voltage level typically equal
to or greater than 69,000 volts.
WETLANDS
As defined in MGL c. 131, § 40 and City of Methuen
Ordinances, Chapter 12.
WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY
Any "personal wireless service facility" as defined in the
Telecommunications Act of 1996, 47 U.S.C. § 332(c)(7)(C)(ii),
including facilities used or to be used by a licensed provider of
personal wireless services.