Verizon antenna may come to Umbrella by autumn 2027
Town Meeting voters will consider a zoning overhaul that could make it easier for companies to build cell infrastructure.
Town officials are one step closer to opening an umbrella of cell coverage over Acton Center.
Negotiators recently agreed to lease terms with Verizon and sent their deal off to town counsel, Deputy Town Manager Megan Zammuto told the Select Board. Crews hope to start construction on an antenna at the town-owned Umbrella Arts Center building in summer 2027.
Leaders have had the building’s cupola in their sights for several years as a potential fix for some of Acton’s much-maligned dead zones.
Town staff have “been working in step with the Umbrella,” Zammuto said. She told The Acton Bridge that the town and its tenant are working “to minimize the impact to building operations.”
The transmitter can support only one cell carrier.
Officials hope to complete local permitting this year. From there, Verizon will still need state and federal approvals.
Construction should take roughly 90 days, Zammuto told The Bridge.
The Select Board made expanding cell coverage a goal for the current fiscal year, and a few projects are moving forward, including a planned tower at the former landfill and two low-powered AT&T antennas on Sudbury Road.
Town Meeting voters will consider a zoning overhaul that could make it easier for companies to build cell infrastructure. Officials recently paused a push to add a cellular monopole at Rideout Park after neighbors raised concerns but are still interested in boosting West Acton coverage, according to a recent Town Manager’s office report.
