Jan 7, 2026 By Paul Paterra 3 min read

At least for now, no cellphone tower will be erected in Canonsburg Town Park.

A large crowd attended Monday’s meeting of Canonsburg council to voice opposition to the proposal.

At council’s Dec. 8 meeting, a representative from Verizon proposed that the borough lease a 100-by-100-foot site at the park between the lower softball field and the basketball court for the construction of a 195-foot cell tower.

Jay Roddy, who lives near the park, is among those opposed to the proposal and organized a Stop the Cell Tower in Canonsburg Town Park Facebook page, which has 155 members.

“It’s in my backyard, literally. My backyard goes down to the park,” Roddy said. “Also, the proposed terms were not in the borough’s favor. It would be theoretically selling the land for decades to come at a below market price. Frankly, I’m even willing to pay more taxes to keep that out of the park. I’ve been struck by how unified the opposition is. Nobody that I’ve talked to says, ‘Yes, this is a great idea.'”

Roddy questioned council whether there had been any further discussion concerning the tower and requested a public announcement that the matter was dead.

“It was something that we felt obligated to bring to council as an opportunity for some investment into the park,” Councilman Rich Russo said. “They had asked for a wink and a nod. We did not give them a wink and a nod that night. I have not heard back from them. I personally don’t have any intentions of recommending it or putting it up for a motion. It was nice to see the neighborhood engaged as well as it did.”

Roddy said he understood that it was a matter that needed to be brought before the borough, but no one on council appeared to be interested in the cell tower.

“I think that speaks to how unanimously the town is against this,” he said.

Resident Tony DePalma also voiced his opposition to the proposed cell tower.

“It feels pretty preposterous to put a big tower in a park,” he said. “There’s a ballfield where kids and parents are hanging out for hours at a time. It would literally be right there. Obviously, there would be a likely decrease in property values for any nearby residents. I am one of them. I would not want to see that. It seems as though it’s put to bed for the time being.”

Also Monday, council held its reorganization meeting. Eric Chandler was elected president of council and Eric Miller, vice president.