Return to Steve Ells Thoreau research page

 

History of a celltower proposed
to overlook Walden Pond

In 1999, the town of Lincoln Planning Board proposed to amend its zoning by-law to permit the construction of a celltower at the top of Pine Hill. The site is clearly visible from Walden Pond. Though most of Pine Hill is conservation land (owned by the Walden Pond State Reservation, the Lincoln Conservation Commission, the Walden Woods Project, and the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust), the top of the hill is a covered drinking water reservoir owned by the town of Concord, and eligible for lease.

After protests from citizens in both towns, the Lincoln Town Meeting defeated the amendment. But continued vigilence is wise, for alternative sites continue to be controversial, and thus hilltop sites continue to be desireable.

Here is a handout prepared for the 1999 Lincoln Town Meeting, with photos from the pond of the proposed site. Actually, the view from Pine Hill, through alleys cut through the woods, is pleasant.