Telus has put the brakes on a cellular phone tower that it had proposed to build west of Loretto.

“The reason why we’re not going with the process with a public meeting is we’re not planning to build a tower for this location for at least the next few years. There are probably plans put together, but in the near future there are no plans to build,” said AJ Gratton, from Telus.

The proposed 70-metre tower was to be built on the northeast corner of the intersection of County Road 1 and the 5th Concession Road.

In March, the company had sent letters of intent to build to Adjala-Tosorontio Township as well as nearby residents. Industry Canada, which regulates the construction of cell phones towers, stipulates that notice must be given to land-use authorities.

Two representatives from the group of residents upset at the location made a deputation to Adjala-Tosorontio council April 29, at a 7:30 a.m. public information meeting into the proposal. Pat Templeman and Anne O’Leary, both of whom live near the site, together made the pitch backed up by a petition of with over 60 signatures.

The two are upset because they feel Telus is trying to sneak the tower in under the noses of nearby residents. Several residents live near the tower, but were not notified, Templeman said. They didn’t learn until a neighbour who did get the letter told them.

Industry Canada regulations stipulate notice must be given to those within three times the tower height radius from the site.

“Are we not entitled to know about this?” she asked of council.

At the crux of the issue for the residents is safety and the preservation of the landscape of the municipality, they said.

Neither Templeman nor O’Leary received official notice because they were outside of the 210-metre radius boundary.

At the crux of the residents’ objections are health and esthetics.

Templeman has been doing her own research into the matter, and said many studies have suggested inconclusive findings into the long-term effects of living in close proximity to cellular towers.

“All of the studies suggest prudent avoidance. We just don’t know,” she said. “I don’t think we can put 100 per cent credence in what the government said.”

Health Canada and Industry Canada have both said that the towers pose no risk to the public, and the level of radio frequency emissions is limited by Health Canada.

Township staff has been trying to arrange a meeting with Telus officials over the matter, but have yet to find a suitable time. The township had 120 days to respond to the matter, but because they have requested a meeting within that date will be allowed to

Gratton said she did not know why Telus has decided to hold on the project.

“We usually look at the network, and where we want to extend, there are probably a few logistical reasons,” she said.

She said that when the company is planning to build, it has to re-notify the public and the township.