ATC Will not Make Payments to CONTACT

Though Northampton Township and American Tower Corporation reached an agreement to relocate 12 cell towers, ATC is not willing to negotiate the payment of legal fees with the community organization that fought alongside the township.

The Citizens of Northampton Township Against Cell Towers (CONTACT) hired an attorney, David Truelove, to represent the group in the fight against ATC, the company that started installing 25-foot-tall towers throughout Northampton Township. While —the company is not willing to put any money toward legal fees.

"ATC will not make any payments to CONTACT," Township Solicitor Michael Savona said on Wednesday, Aug. 22. "They would rather return to court than make payments to CONTACT."

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Savona said that he discussed the possibility with attorneys and ATC, and the company remained adamant that were not going to pay for any of CONTACT's legal fees.

Township Supervisor Eileen Silver said that ATC is paying money to the township, and asked if any of that money could be given to CONTACT.

"Is it possible that township help CONTACT with the legal bill?" she asked.

Unfortunately, Savona said that because the money was paid to the township as permit fees, and because CONTACT is a non profit, social service organization, the township cannot make direct appropriations to the organization.

Though money cannot come directly from the township, people in the community are able to make personal donations. Learn more about contributing to the citizen organization here.

In addition to accepting donations, event on July 22, 2012, to raise funds to help pay for its legal fees.