Shenango Township supervisors are having a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the township building to discuss both proposed and existing cell towers.

Howard Mitchell, township secretary, said several engineers will conduct the hearing and discuss the pro's and con's of telecommunications installations with residents.

Mitchell said they hope to get the public's view point at the meeting.

According to a township ordinance which regulates placement of wireless telecommunications equipment, findings show that the facilities could possibly pose "significant health, safety, public welfare, character and environmental concerns" to the township and its residents.

They include structures or locations that are designed to support antennas or other transmitting devices, according to the ordinance. Examples are "multi-story buildings, church steeples, silos, water towers, signs or other structures that can be used to alleviate the visual impact of an antenna.

The ordinance also states that wireless technology can be an economic development asset to the township and of significant benefit to its residents.

The intent of the ordinance is to minimize the negative impact of wireless telecommunications equipment, establish a fair and efficient process for review and approval of applications, assure an integrated, comprehensive review of environmental impacts of such facilities and protect the health, safety and welfare of township residents.

By law, the township has to hold a public meeting prior to the approval of any application for a wireless facilities permit for wireless facilities, according to the ordinance.