SPRING LAKE — The battle over 5G infrastructure escalated during a public hearing on Tuesday, Nov. 12, as the Spring Lake mayor and borough council hosted the final meeting on Verizon’s application to install six 5G small-cell utility poles along Ocean Avenue. Held at the H.W. Mountz Elementary School gymnasium, the meeting underscored legal, community, and jurisdictional complexities that have thrust the borough into the spotlight.
At the start of the meeting, Mayor Jennifer Naughton revealed that Verizon had filed a federal lawsuit against the borough, asserting its right to install the poles under the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The lawsuit comes after months of deliberations, extensions, and negotiations over the borough’s response to Verizon’s application. The debate is further complicated by a borough ordinance prohibiting such beachfront installations. Verizon is requesting waivers to override the ordinance and proceed with the project. Adding to the jurisdictional layers, Ocean Avenue—where the poles would be placed—is under shared governance with Monmouth County. Verizon has also submitted an application to the county for the same project.
The timeline for the borough’s response has been contentious. Verizon, citing a provision known as the “shot clock” under federal law, typically requires municipalities to approve or deny such applications within 90 days. However, extensions were granted multiple times, pushing the borough’s final decision deadline to Oct. 15. This protracted process reflects the broader tension between local zoning laws and federal regulations prioritizing expanding telecommunications infrastructure.
During the hearing, representatives of Spring Lake Against 5G Towers—a local advocacy group—argued against granting the waivers, citing health concerns, aesthetic disruptions, and potential reductions in property values. Their attorney emphasized the borough’s right to maintain its zoning laws, arguing that waiving the ordinance could set a dangerous precedent. The shared jurisdiction with Monmouth County adds another layer of complexity. Even if Spring Lake denies the application, the county’s decision could impact the project’s future. The federal lawsuit also looms large, with Verizon arguing that the borough’s actions amount to an unlawful obstruction under federal law.
As Spring Lake grapples with these challenges, the case illustrates the broader conflict faced by municipalities across the country as they navigate the intersection of local autonomy, federal mandates, and the growing demand for advanced telecommunications infrastructure. The borough council is now tasked with deciding how to proceed, knowing their actions could influence their community and the legal landscape for small towns confronting similar 5G disputes.
