Medford Councilor Hoping To Restrict Placement Of Satellite Dishes

MEDFORD (CBS) - There's a push from the city council in Medford to get rid of all the satellite dishes just hanging around.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Rod Fritz reports.

"Some houses have 4, 5, 6, 7 dishes on them, and they're becoming a blight to the community. Many of the dishes that are up there aren't even being used anymore. People have moved on, and the dishes are left there," said City Councilor Rick Caraviello. "They're sticking out everywhere."

Caraviello says restricting where the dishes can be placed is a goal of their latest proposal.

"Probably half of (the dishes) aren't even in use anymore. If you leave or you stop the service, no one ever takes it down... It's up to you to take it down," said Caraviello.

In 2001, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) gave local cities the authority to impose restrictions on the placement of satellite dishes as long as it does not affect the satellite's signal or functionality.

"If you move, you say 'the hell with it' and just leave it there and you move on, and no one ever takes it down," Caraviello continued. "It just doesn't make the city look good."

Even Caraviello was guilty of unnecessary dish placement.

"I myself just took down a dish that I had for nine years on my roof that hasn't been used," said Caraviello.

At the May 8 City Council meeting, the proposal was unanimously motioned for future review.

Here's WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Drew Moholland's full interview with Caraviello:

You can hear the WBZ Water Cooler on Saturday at 10:25 AM and 2:25 PM, and Sunday at 2:25 PM, on WBZ NewsRadio 1030.