Got email this week from a reader who says her Sprint cell phone service hasn’t been the same (in her home) since the cell tower collapsed in a fiery heap along Rte. 9 in Wellesley in January (see video below). We haven’t heard from anyone else about this and neither has the Selectmen’s Office, but if you’re having issues, feel free to contact the Board, or comment below or let us know here.

As for Sprint, a spokesman wrote: “As a temporary measure, Sprint has deployed a Cell-On-Wheels (COW) to the location to offset some of the loss in coverage in this area of Wellesley. We continue to work with the landlord and town of Wellesley to restore coverage in the area.”

AT&T, which owns the tower (Sprint’s a tenant), also quickly set up temporary cell tower (COW) after the original structure burnt down.

AT&T says its customers have been receiving regular service since then and that the company expects its new permanent tower will be up within 2-3 weeks. It could take a couple more weeks to get the radios installed to enable cell service from the tower, a spokeswoman says.

Wellesley’s Building Department has received a permit request is scheduled to do a site inspection this week.

Speaking of this area along Rte. 9, the Boston Globe reports on the latest efforts to replace the old Wellesley Motor Inn eyesore with some new structures, including a mixed retail/apartment complex and maybe even a Starbucks. Not all neighbors are happy with the plan.