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Post by Wantagh Parent on Jul 6, 2010 15:43:09 GMT -5
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Post by lilly on Jul 7, 2010 10:38:10 GMT -5
Does anyone know where the proposed Wantagh locations are?
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Post by jdelisa on Jul 7, 2010 11:11:55 GMT -5
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Post by Chris_Wendt on Jul 8, 2010 11:19:40 GMT -5
Is there a report from this meeting?
Summary?
Outcome?
Next steps?
Curious,
Chris
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Post by lilly on Jul 8, 2010 14:16:35 GMT -5
I missed 1/2 the meeting but here goes...
One of the Dave politicians rented the K of C. (I think both were there initially? But I only saw one by the time I got there.) I'd say the crowd was 1/2 Wantagh and 1/2 Bellmore/Merrick residents. The B/M residents seemed to be well organized as they've already gone through this. There were three T Mobile lawyers there to give a presentation as well as a consultant local gov (TofH?) will be hiring, then the floor was opened for questions.
The residents clearly do not want these towers at all. Some angles to pursue to stop it were 1) implications on tax status since FWJC will earn income from the towers and 2) quickly get a building code moratorium passed until regulations can be changed. Supposedly, the regulations haven't been updated to include things like this and there is an obvious need for this unclear situation. #1 had dicey implications while #2 seemed more clear cut and favored by the Dave.
I think there will be another hearing type meeting on it - details tbd. The lawyers did say they will go back and reconsider given the sentiments of the community but not sure what that buys.
Only people within 100 feet of of the FWJC will be informed if/when it goes up so email add'ys were collected for an email chain. Also, they need signatures for petition (they got a decent amount last night but want more).
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Post by Michael Soethout on Jul 8, 2010 18:11:44 GMT -5
Chris,
Cell tower, meeting.
The room was actually rented by T-Mobile, most likely to meet a public notice, hearing regulation of some kind.
T-Mobile's presentation, was more a less over after "good evening and we would like explain our project to you". After that it was non stop, opposition of one kind or another(justified and understood).
T-Mobile, is proposing erecting six antenna on the Wantagh-Farmingdale Jewish Center. They would hiding these antenna by wrapping it around the existing chimney 37' 5" high from the ground, building a faux chimney in the rear of the building and some other support structures that would look like an air condition unit. T -Mobile also stated that these antenna would cover approximately 7 blocks each (7*6=42 blocks) which doesn't seem to make any economic sense, but later T-Mobile rep alluded to better coverage for the customers while driving and that they are already on the towers off the 135 at SSP and Sunrise.
T-Mobile will be going before the Town of Hempstead Zoning to request a special exemption to allow this to happen, I am not sure the date of this hearing it was adjourned by the town. Apparently the Town's building code is outdated and doesn't cover cell towers. I find it laughable that in Wantagh you need a permit for a shed in your backyard, but a cell tower no problem.
Dave Dennenberg and the residents from Merrick and Bellmore were there to lend support and experience in opposing this project because they have already gone through it. But in truth and Mr. Dennenberg has no direct authority in this matter (which stated several times) as it is not in his jurisdiction of county government, rather it is the jurisdiction of the Town of Hempstead to have the final say.
Noticeably absent from this meeting was nobody from either the Wantagh Farmingdale JC or the Town of Hempstead were present
Mr. Dennenberg, advised the argument the community could raise to oppose this.
1st the most important and emotional argument the health implications to the residents around the towers is EXEMPT from consideration per a Federal telecommunication law circa 1997.
The community can raise arguments such as reduced home values, no need for this service and no value to the surrounding community.
There was a crowd of apparently 70-80 people all in opposition to this matter, News 12 crew and at least one print reporter(not sure what paper). There was only one Wantagh resident in attendance who is a T-Mobile customer, and she clearly stated that her cell service is fine and she doesn't need better service or the tower.
Key points to consider and remember
The is going to be a another public meeting at the Wantagh Farmingdale JC on I believe Sunday 7-18-10, but I am not sure if that is correct and the community needs to make our opposition seen and heard at the Town hearing.
Most likely as residents we need to press town level elected officials such as Mark Bonilla, Angie Cullin and Kate Murray to bring the building codes up to date with the reality of the present technological times, so that this is less likely to happen again in the future.
Mr. Dennenberg brought up another really scary point, by stating T-Mobile is one of the better cell providers when it comes to working with the public, he said the Sprint and Metro PCS are ruthless and work in the shadows to put the antenna, even installing them on basic electric and telephone poles.
Sincerely,
Michael Soethout
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Post by Chris_Wendt on Jul 13, 2010 12:49:02 GMT -5
Michael, thanks for the thorough recap of this situation and of the meeting that was held last week.
Of particular note is the true fact that, under current law, alleged health implications can no longer be considered by Zoning Appeals Boards as valid objections to cell tower placements.
It sounds like the best route to defeat this proposal is to get the sponsor, Wantagh-Farmingdale Jewish Center, to rescind their offer to host the tower installtion on their property.
Good luck to everyone taking up this challenge!
Regards,
Chris Wendt.
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Post by bradnanita on Nov 27, 2010 15:28:49 GMT -5
There is no doubt that many people do not want cell towers in their communities or cell antennas located on any structure in their communities however well hidden those antennas are, but would they really object if they knew the truths about RF radiation, truths that the anti-cell antenna movement has been so successful in suppressing? Why is it that so much of the public relies on political activists for their information about these matters rather than technical professionals? Why does the anti-cell antennas movement so actively oppose education on these matters? And why is the community so anxious to take measures that actually increase the radiation exposure to which most of the population will be subjected?
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