Politics & Government

Councilor Concerned About 'Eyesore' Caused by Satellite Dishes

Multiple satellite dishes have become an increasing issue as services like DirectTV have become an alternative to cable.

Tired of the “eyesore” of multiple satellite dishes on the side of Peabody homes, Councilor Anne Manning-Martin wants the city to find a way to remove unused satellite dishes.

Manning-Martin said at the Thursday City Council meeting that new people move into homes, but the previous resident's satellite dish remains on the side of the house. These can add up. 

“I don’t care for them at all. I don’t want them near my house,” she told the Salem News after the meeting. A number of councilors spoke in favor of Manning-Martin’s request after the meeting, but there was question as to how to regulate them.

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This is a growing problem as services like DirectTV have become an alternative to cable companies. On her Facebook page, Manning-Martin said satellite dishes and billboards are two quality of life issues. 

It’s not only a problem because of people changing residences. Many times, satellite dish subscribers leave an old dish that's not working on their homes when they need to purchase a new one.

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The combination of dishes not working along with dishes of former residents can create a cluttered residential skyline – especially on multi-family dwellings.

Peabody isn't the first city to raise concerns. Boston created regulations two years ago so that satellite dishes would not be placed in front of homes.

Manning-Martin wants the Community Development Department to review who is responsible for removing the dishes and what legal issues are involved in having the city require a homeowner to remove an old satellite dish, reported the News.

Read the full Salem News report here.

What do you think? Have satellite dishes become a quality of life issue? Should Peabody look for ways to reduce the number of inactive dishes on buildings? Let us know in the comments section below.


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