Haddonfield Cell Service and the East Cottage Avenue Water Tower: Where Things Stand

The water tower on East Cottage Avenue holds cell equipment that serves part of Haddonfield, and its owner, New Jersey American Water, plans to take it down. The borough's idea of a temporary tower at the Department of Public Works has stalled. At the Oct. 5, 2026, work session, the administrator said the borough is telling cell companies to talk to New Jersey American Water directly, because the borough doesn't own that property.

Why this matters

If you have spotty service now, this is part of the reason. Haddonfield's own wireless plan points to dense tree canopy and thick walls on older buildings along Kings Highway, according to South Jersey Media's coverage of the draft plan.

When the tower comes down, the antennas on it have to go somewhere. If carriers don't find a new spot, nearby residents could lose coverage. That's the risk officials have been talking about for a while.

The temporary tower idea

In August 2025, commissioners discussed putting a temporary wireless tower at the Department of Public Works, South Jersey Media reported. The long-term plan was a permanent small-cell network, with the temporary tower removed once that was in place.

Then the borough withdrew the bid for the temporary tower. Its notice says the bid was pulled over a possible permitting delay and how that could affect the schedule for dismantling the water tower. The bid "will be revised and may be reissued at a later date."

What officials said in 2026

Two work-session moments this year, from the borough's own minutes:

• July 13, 2026. A resident from East Summit Avenue asked about the temporary cell tower. The administrator said there had been no movement because the borough does not have land to offer for something to be built.
• Oct. 5, 2026. Commissioner Cole asked for an update on the cell tower. The administrator said the borough tells cell companies to talk to New Jersey American Water, since the borough does not own that property.

No date for removing the tower has been posted. No new bid has been posted either.

The rules any new site has to follow

Haddonfield adopted wireless rules in Chapter 135, Article XVI of the borough code. They rank where new equipment should go, starting with concealed equipment on existing structures and public property before new poles and towers elsewhere. Small cells in borough rights of way get a review clock of 60 days for an existing structure and 90 days for a new or replacement one.

The next commissioners work session is Monday, Nov. 9, at 6:30 p.m. The agenda wasn't posted as of Saturday morning. Development questions tend to come up there, as they did with the ADU and duplex proposals and the Hopkins Pond path grant.

FAQ

Why is the East Cottage Avenue water tower coming down? Its owner, New Jersey American Water, decommissioned the tank and plans to remove it. It also carries wireless equipment that has to be relocated.

Is Haddonfield building a temporary cell tower? Not right now. The borough withdrew its bid for a temporary tower at the Department of Public Works, and in July 2026 the administrator said there had been no movement because the borough does not have land to offer.

Who decides where new cell equipment goes? Carriers apply, and the borough reviews them under its wireless telecommunications rules in Chapter 135, Article XVI of the borough code.

Sources

• Borough of Haddonfield: Commissioner work sessions (July 13 and Oct. 5, 2026, minutes)
• Borough of Haddonfield: Update on the Temporary Telecommunications Tower Bid
• South Jersey Media: Officials focus on telecommunications plan (Aug. 21, 2025)
• South Jersey Media: Vote on wireless plan tabled
• Haddonfield Code, Chapter 135, Article XVI: Wireless Telecommunications

When the water tower gets a date or a new bid goes out, we'll tell you. The Friday newsletter is where we track the borough stories that move slowly and then all at once.