Debate Weighs On Over Cell Tower Use

In spite of the snow and the wind, residents came out to the Manorhaven Village at the Board of Trustees' February meeting to speak their minds about several issues, including the ongoing situation regarding the 125-foot cell phone tower at Pequot Avenue in Manorhaven Village.

Resident Victoria Spielman wore a shirt saying," Don't Cell Out," with a picture of a cell-tower and Dorit Farrington said that this cell tower can pose a health danger causing tumors and cancer, according to reports she carried in her hand.

Farrington said that a G-2 zone does not allow for commercial use. The zoning law says that the tower cannot be there unless the government owns it or it is occupied by a not-for-profit organization.

"The sweeping tower of the law can be loosened up," said Farrington.

Village Attorney Gerard Terry said it might be ugly, but it is not turned on yet. But residents were not buying what they thought was a cell-out excuse. In addition, Mayor Michael Meehan said that a stop work order was issued to AG Towers and that it doesn't belong in a residential neighborhood, plus the site recently had to be cleaned up due to unsightly conditions.

At the public hearing Spielman said that Introductory Local Law 2010 denies the right of residents who may be innocent of any violation to utilize the legal system in the Village Code and she said it takes away the rights of people. Many are getting illegal tickets and refuse to get any kind of permit until the matter is settled.

Deputy Mayor Patrick Brostowin said that there is going to be a legal hardship program for property owners, but for now a permit will be put on hold until any violation that someone has will be resolved.

There was also a regular meeting which discussed and approved seven resolutions, including the appointment of a Village Records Management Officer, engaging a professional land surveyor, ratifying amendments to an inter-municipal agreement and for the Village to act as lead applicant for purposes of a grant application.

As the meeting was winding down, the cell phone tower issue came up again among several residents. Most agreed that AG Towers are trying to legalize this cell tower.

"If it was so easy to solve than this problem would have been solved some time ago," Meehan said.