By Hector Flores
Robert Zafonte, president of the East Meadow Civic Association, said that area residents are circulating a petition asking that the antennas not be placed on their corner because it may pose a health risk and create an eyesore in the community. Omnipoint representatives, however, say that a community meeting has been scheduled for this week with the Town of Hempstead Board of Zoning Appeals, which will address the concerns of homeowners and move the applications process forward.
³I¹ve helped circulate the petition,² said Zafonte. ³We have two major concerns. First, this is a health issue and a quality-of-life issue. [If the antennas are placed there] I don¹t know what the health risks are or the ramifications will be in the future. We are going to fight hard, and we are going to do everything we can to make it stop.²
Jonathan Brass, owner of Meadow Drugs, across the street from the site of the proposed antennas, said that he has also placed a petition in his store and has so far collected more than 50 signatures. ³The antennas will definitely be hideous,² he said. ³It will affect health and decrease the values of the homes in the area.²
Tom O¹Connor, a 15-year resident of Seventh Avenue, said that local residents are prepared to take legal action. ³I have pride in my home and I have two children, and I plan on living here for the next 15 years,² O¹Connor said.
His neighbor Joe Licata was more concerned about the possible health risks the antennas would bring. ³When I think about the radio-frequency waves that it will emit, I get concerned about the effect they will have on children and pregnant women,² Licata said. ³Some people believe that the waves cause autism and may be the reason for the increased number of cases.²
Zafonte said he is confident that he and other area residents will be able to prevent the installation of the antennas. ³Two years ago there was a proposal to place a antennas on the top of the East Meadow water tower, and the town summarily rejected the application to help their constituents,² Zafonte said.
Joe Walsh, spokesman for T-Mobil, which acquired Omnipoint and its East Meadow antenna site, said that the pole will be painted to minimize any aesthetic effect, and added that a meeting is scheduled to address residents' concerns. ³The plan has been submitted in drawing form a standard installation of a 60-foot pole with antennas attached,² he said. ³It¹s going to be painted to minimize the effect, and it is up to the municipality to cite other requirements. Part of our good neighbor policy is to ensure that when we select a site, it will be well received.²
Walsh said that there is a meeting scheduled with the Town of Hempstead's Board of Zoning Appeals on Sept. 6. ³We look forward to the meeting to address [residents¹] concerns and move forward with the application,² he said. ³When we build a site, it is well below the emission and power standards set by the Federal Communications Commission. Once they hear and see the facts, their concerns will go away.²
Comments about this story? HFlores@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 283.
