Questions Linger About Monopole At Police HQ

With a cell tower lease at headquarters set to expire May 31, and the district poised to take ownership of the monopole, some business and quality-of-life questions linger.

The in cell phone coverage in Port Washington and in the district’s ability to receive 911 calls. Still, there is uncertainty as to who currently holds the lease. The original lease for the tower dates back to 1992, issued under a subsidiary of NYNEX. Since that time, however, a number of subsidiaries changed hands.

Police District Attorney Stephen Ressa said he's had recent discussion with Verizon, the monopole’s current tenant. Despite some earlier speculation, there’s a likelihood, he said, that “the lease may never have been assigned to Crown Castle,” the Houston-based wireless tower operator. The district had never been presented with an assigment, although Crown Castle was "paying rent."

And while Crown Castle has sent in checks, it was noted that the arrangement might be under “a management situation.”

Craig Sands, a communications expert and local resident, whom Commissioner Dave Franklin said has been "invaluable," offered to reach out to his contacts at both Crown Castle and Verizon in an effort to identify the current lease holder.

Meanwhile, the police district is waiting for responses to a request for proposal from communications experts to handle future tower leases to carriers. Those responses are due by April 25. 

Ressa recommended that after May 31, the district not extend a month-to-month lease that might lead to long-term lease to Verizon, a possibility that had been discussed at an earlier meeting. Instead, he recommends retaining a communications consultant to handle arrangements.

With the May 31 deadline looming, Police Commissioner Angela Mullins expected many of the business details to be sorted through before April 30, when the district holds another public meeting to discuss the cell tower.

Karen Cornell, a resident of Derby Road, lives behind the tower and said she had “quality of life" issues about the structure. She spoke about the close proximity of the tower, pointing to of a cell tower in Manhasset Isle in a residential neighborhood as a comparison.

Speaking of the tower at police headquarters, she said, “technically it was put up without permits.” However, it was noted that none of the current commissioners served on the board then.

“You didn’t have public hearings,” she pointed out. “That in itself is illegal.”
Noting that her statement might be accurate, Commissioner James Duncan said counsel would look into the records. Mullins added, “We’re here to try to work this out.”

The discussion about the cell tower will continue at the April 30 police commissioners meeting at at 7 p.m.