A proposed cell tower in Islip Town, NY has some residents grousing about its state-owned access ramp host site. As Newsday reports, Crown Castle has suggested placing a 102-foot monopole on land owned by the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation in an attempt to address coverage needs in the Long Island coastal community. The cell tower would also be owned by the state and would carry Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile equipment and would benefit state policy and emergency responders.
Opponents to the project have created an online petition complaining that the selected location is too close to the residential population and represents a potential health hazard. The petition specifically points to “negative health effects of cell tower radiation” as a concern, despite the fact that the American Cancer Society continues to assert that humans face no dangers from cell tower transmissions.
While recognizing the “dire need of cell service,” West Islip Association President Joe DeCarlo nevertheless referred to the cell tower as “intrusive” and an “eyesore.” He wondered why the structure couldn’t be built somewhere else.
“I understand they want to try and improve coverage, but the bigger thing is the placement of these things,” responded local official, Steven Flotteron. He said that he would prefer to see the cell tower sited in an industrial area, according to Newsday.
John Craig, whose state agency would assume ownership of the monopole, noted that Crown Castle has been working with the Parks Department to create an acceptable proposal. A public discussion took place earlier this month at a gathering held at the local high school. The current Crown Castle proposal promised to “provide more reliable cell phone coverage and better connectivity.”
The State of New York has 30 days to respond to the current proposal, said Craig.
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