UPDATE Occupying the far northern end of Long Island, East Hampton, NY has wrestled with the need for greater connectivity, recently adding a cell tower and equipment in both a Girl Scout camp, and on the grounds of an historic church. As the East Hampton Press reports, the region has learned that it is still woefully underserved. Consultants met with town officials to present a plan to extend digital outreach to the area using a combination of both tall monopoles and small cell antenna units.
“This is part of our longstanding effort now, and we had lack of coverage and capacity both, it put a focus on the inadequacy of our wireless communications, which had grown over the years,” stated Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc. “And I think that the poll showing nearly 90 percent of the public putting connectivity as a higher value than aesthetics or health concerns was very instructive to us.”
Cellular planning firm, Cityscape, which has been studying the situation for the past two years, agreed that community feedback has been remarkably high, noted the East Hampton Press. Responses from over 1,600 local residents indicated that sentiments run highly in favor of better cellular service outweighing all related concerns, such as aesthetics.
Speaking on behalf of Cityscape, consultant Susan Rabold suggested that East Hampton town officials “Look at these areas where we’re proposing new facilities and identify design and infrastructure you want to see, so if the industry comes in and proposes a site, you are ready — be proactive. We recommend you set up standard lease agreements for predetermined properties. You have existing templates that can be standardized and shared with the industry, so that they can plan ahead when they come in.”
The general idea is to use existing structures where necessary. However, the town was told that it was inevitable that some larger, 100- to 140-foot cell towers would need to be constructed. While some residents can be linked up to digital service via smaller, more closely clustered poles, the taller monopoles will be needed in areas where coverage needs to blanket a region that is less populous or has geographic challenges. The consultant urged the town council to make use of town-owned properties to help streamline the project and keep it centered.
The master plan presented by Cityscape details where new cell towers are needed, and what sort will provide the level of coverage needed. For example, the plan explains that while some towns may only need minor enhancements, others, like Northwest Woods will need both a macro monopole and five small cells to extend coverage throughout its coastal areas and heavy tree density. As for Springs, “Blue Bay [Girl Scout camp cell tower] is not going to serve all of Springs by itself, ” Rabold told the Press, “The population is too great. You will need three macro sites.”
Following the presentation by Cityscape, town Board members indicated that they were ready to move ahead with the plan.
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