by Matt Hampton
Based on federal statutes, NextG Networks, a nationwide wireless-service company based out of San Jose, California, is recognized as a public utility, and can therefore place their poles on public property without notice or permits. This has ruffled the feathers of residents and legislators who believe the public has a right to reject an intrusion into their neighborhoods.
�There is overwhelming anger and outcry over the utility poles,� said Norwood Park Civic Association President Vincent Toma. �It�s a topic of conversation all over town.�
Conversation�s aren�t the only thing that�s happening all over town, either. According to letters from NextG�s lawyer to Nassau County Legislator David Denman, more than 275 of the wireless nodes will be placed in Nassau County, with the majority of them � nearly 200 � rumored to be placed in the Town of Hempstead. The company, through its lawyer, maintains that NextG is allowed installations on rights-of-way in the county because of their status as a public utility.
Toma said he thinks the whole situation seems suspicious.
�I think the fact that it�s a for-profit company that got recognized as a public utility, I think that really mystifies people,� Toma said. �We think that there�s a better solution.�
Toma held a meeting of his civic association Monday at the VFW hall in Franklin Square. Another meeting was held by the Morton Civic Association at the same time on the same subject. Leaders at both were prepared to hear a litany of angry tirades from residents, and were anxious to make sure local leaders knew about them as well.
In Franklin Square, 40-foot poles have already popped up on Willow Road and Horatio Avenue. While the nodes do not always require their own poles, some do, and they are rarely a subtle addition.
The Town of Hempstead is investigating the matter, and talking to outside counsel, according to spokeswoman Susan Trenkle, but for the time being their appears to be little that can be done other than try to build a grassroots movement or make an appeal to the company itself.
Toma seems to think even that is unlikely.
�Some people really take care of their yards, lawns and streets, and to have this here, there�s a real possibility of depreciating home values,� he said. �It�s a clandestine, quick assault, if you will, on a residential neighborhood.�
Local legislators, including Vincent Muscarella and John Ciotti have sent representatives to talk with residents about fears with regard to the poles.
�It�s an absolute disgrace that big business continue to prey upon neighborhoods and have total lack of regard for people,� Assemblyman Tom Alfano said. �The fact that the civic, town, county, neighborhood and state were in the dark on this issue is appalling. It also teaches us a lesson that corporate entities don�t feel it�s their responsibility to inform and alert the community. They�re wrong.�
Repeated calls to a representative of NextG in San Jose were not returned as of press time.
