Concerns over an unfair advantage to Verizon and its customers led Chilmark officials to deny a proposed infrastructure improvement plan from the company. 

On Tuesday, the Chilmark Select board unanimously denied Verizon Wireless’ request to install small cell wireless facility equipment on 14 existing utility poles within the town. The board expressed concerns that the proposal will not implement uniform cellular service improvements. 

Select Board Chair Marie K. Larsen said improving only Verizon’s service in the town is not what’s best for all residents. 

“I think this is the best proposal from Verizon but I don’t think it’s what’s best for people in this town,” said Larsen. “I think it’s a mistake to go forward with this.” 

Board members Matthew Poole and Jefferey Almeida echoed Larsen’s sentiment. Poole said he hoped Verizon would be open to working with Chilmark to establish a solution that helps everyone in town. 

“I’d like to encourage Verizon to come back or at least open their internal process to participating in an all carrier solution,” said Poole. “I think uniform service for all residents and visitors is our responsibility as the select board.” 

“I agree it’s not in the best interest for the town as a whole,” said Almeida. 

Cell phone connectivity has been an ongoing issue for Chilmark and Aquinnah, which share a cell phone coverage network. There are dead spots with no service throughout the town and first responders have previously told The Times they have had instances when poor connection has made it harder to help someone in need of assistance.

At a public hearing during a Chilmark Select Board meeting earlier this month, Verizon explained that the small cells are superior technology to the current distributed antenna system (DAS) — which strategically places nodes to enhance signal strength for cell phones — that Chilmark relies on and would be an “improvement that will benefit the town.” 

Despite the improvements to Verizon’s service, the board agreed it was not the best solution for Chilmark. Pool made a motion to deny Verizon’s request, which was unanimously approved. 

In a letter sent to the Chilmark Select Board on Jan. 16, Verizon contended that denial could violate federal law under the Telecommunications Act of 1996. 

Verizon’s letter alleged that a denial by Chilmark could violate discrimination and prohibition of service laws. The letter explains that allowing American Tower to construct DAS expansions and denying Verizon to construct its smaller and less obtrusive small cells could be discriminatory treatment. Additionally, preventing Verizon from improving its network in alternative ways, as the DAS falls short of Verizon’s service needs, could violate prohibition of service laws. 

No immediate next steps from Verizon were detailed at the meeting on Tuesday.