By SARI ZEIDLER
NextG, a company that provides cellular frequencies to cell-phone carriers using a distributed antenna system, has angered some town residents in recent months by installing antennas close to homes and schools. NextG, which is contracted to provide service to Metro PCS in Nassau County, has public utility status in New York state, and as such is permitted to install cell antennas in local neighborhoods without restriction, according to the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996.
The decision to hold closed meetings involving civic leaders and NextG representatives was agreed to as a sign of good will by NextG attorney Patrick Ryan at a joint meeting of the North and South Merrick civic associations last month.
At the meeting in Denenberg's office, Claudia Borecky, president of the North Merrick Community Association; Stu Weinstein, co-vice president of the North Bellmore Civic Association; Ira Harris, president of the East Bay Civic Association in south Bellmore; and Joe Baker, president of the South Merrick Community Civic Association, noted antenna locations that are particularly troublesome and tried to come up with alternative sites. They are currently drafting a letter to present to NextG attorneys.
Weinstein said that North Bellmore residents have experienced less friction with NextG than Merokeans. Fewer antennas have been installed on town-owned rights of way near private residences in North Bellmore, because it is home to two larger antennas, or monopoles, that are used by Metro PCS. According to Weinstein, there is a monopole on Bellmore Avenue and Wilson Avenue at the emergency medical services building, and at the Fire Department communications tower on Newbridge Road, across from the North Bellmore Public Library.
Weinstein identified antennas on South Shelley Road, Bedford Avenue, Bellmore Road and South Bismark Avenue as potential targets for relocation. "As far as NextG goes, my reaction has been reasonably positive in their willingness to work with us," he said. "I'm cautiously optimistic going forward, and I hope that our relationship is a positive one."
Because there are no monopoles used by Metro PCS in Merrick, there have been more small antennas affixed to telephone poles near homes and schools there than in Bellmore, and a greater public outcry against NextG.
Borecky, who has been an outspoken voice on behalf of North Merrick residents' concerns about the antennas, called the recent meeting a learning experience. "It was very informative in the way that I understand how the antennas work," Borecky said. Relocating antennas, she added, is "not as easy as I originally thought. Some of them probably are an easy move, but a lot of them aren't."
According to Borecky, Baker and Weinstein, NextG's attorney presented a picture of a structure on the roof of Chatterton Elementary School, on Merrick Avenue in Merrick, that he said was a cell phone antenna installed by another company. But when shown the picture, representatives of the Merrick School District said the antenna was used to provide radio communication between the custodial staff and buses.
"We would never do that," said Dr. Christine Grucci, the district's assistant superintendent for business and technology. The district has taken a public position against cell-phone antennas in the immediate vicinity of schools.
Ryan said that NextG policy prevents him from speaking to the press, and representatives of NextG were not available to comment.
Civic leaders are now scheduling walk-throughs with NextG representatives to identify antennas in Bellmore and Merrick that may be relocated.
Comments about this story? SZeidler@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 236.
