Better coverage is needed in the eastern part of town, confirms Mount Kisco, NY Mayor Gina Picinich. However, as the Examiner News reports, selecting the best location for a cell tower is a matter of debate.
The current proposal calls for a 140-foot monopole to be placed on a 3,200 square foot property on South Bedford Road. Residents have argued against plans to place a cell tower or solar farm at that location. Rex Pietrobono, who lives just 280 feet away from the proposed site, said, “If you don’t get in front of this, as you have been, it’s going to be put in Mount Kisco and it actually services Bedford. So, as has happened before, Mount Kisco receives all of the headaches and doesn’t get much, if any, of the benefits.”
Pietrobono and others would prefer to see the cell tower placed in Leonard Park. For this to happen, the town would need to declare eminent domain, forcibly acquiring private property for the public good. Since this would require compensating the current owner, it would likely come with a price tag of over $1.5 million, speculates the Examiner News. This amount exceeds what the town currently holds in its open space fund. Mayor Picnich has said, “I am not in favor of … taking on additional debt for this purpose.”
Leonard Park neighbor, David Grant, would rather see the emergency services cell tower on Guard Hill modified to accommodate additional equipment. However, that option could prove to be problematic, noted Bedford Historical Society Executive Director, Evelyne Ryan. Ryan explained that the deed for the property specifies that commercial use of the land is prohibited.
The Village Board plans to meet again later this month to decide which cell tower option will work best for the community. “We are seeking public comment,” said Mayor Picinich. “We want to hear from the community. We need to determine where the location would be to site a cell tower.”
Reader Interactions