Town to ban cell towers near homes

Town of Hempstead officials plan to ban construction of cell towers within 1,500 feet of homes. The announcement came at a community meeting at Wantagh High School on Monday evening.

According to deputy town attorney Charles Kovit, Hempstead will adopt a new local law to provide "aggressive protection" for the placement of cell towers at a Sept. 21 hearing at Hempstead Town Hall. The local law will be subject to a vote of the town board. Both town Supervisor Kate Murray and Councilwoman Angie Cullin said they anticipate that the law will pass.

The town has retained a consultant, Richard Comi, to provide objective testimony to the Board of Zoning Appeals to determine the least obtrusive locations for cell towers.

While the law is still being drafted, Kovit is studying federal law to determine whether the placement of cell towers should also be banned within close proximity of schools.

The new law "is a step in the right direction," said Joe Baker, president of the South Merrick Community Civic Association. "I'm happy that the town is passing legislation to help protect residents, but we have to look into the next steps."

Those steps, according to Baker, include talking with the Public Service Commission and figuring out why it granted "public utility" status to cell contractors, which allows them to install cell towers.

In addition, Baker said he plans to speak with federal officials such U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer and Rep. Peter King to learn whether granting cell-phone companies utility status might violate the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which established new frameworks for U.S. communication policy.

Claudia Borecky, president of the North Merrick Community Association and head of the Telecommunications Task Force, also expressed her approval of the town's announcement. "I'm happy to hear that they are writing codes, and I'm satisfied with some of the provisions that they are requiring," she said.

Borecky has worked for more than a year to fight the placement of cell towers in Merrick, specifically one that is planned at the North Merrick Public Library. Instead of the library, Borecky suggested that the cell tower be moved to the Meadowbrook Parkway.

According to Borecky, she, along with Baker and other Merrick leaders, will be able to review a draft of the legislation before it is put to a vote at the Sep. 21 hearing.

"We just want everything to be made public," said Borecky.

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