Residents and Attorney Take Down Cell Tower

Last night, the Town of Bedford Planning Board convened and there was a change in tenor as peals of applause followed chair Deirdre Courtney-Batson explaining, the 425 Cherry Street site was not appropriate for a cell tower. “I don’t want that taken to mean that the Petre site IS appropriate,” she firmly explained.

The remainder of the Planning Board concurred, and residents who packed the Bedford Hills Community House seemed to feel the Board members devoted much time and care, despite the constraints they were under because of federal law.

Having attended a series of meetings with my Bedford Hills neighbors, I noticed the Homeland Towers attorney, Robert Gaudioso, was uncharacteristically meek, the odds no longer in his favor. Last night he walked in knowing not only the findings of the independent town consultant, but the attorney hired by residents, at their own expense, who was sitting among the crowd. They’d clearly met before, in similar circumstances.

After Gaudioso spoke, and answered the Chair’s questions, the floor was opened for public comment.

Longtime resident Rick Carone made a passionate plea to leave the untouched reserve, Leatherman’s Ridge, unscathed. Bedford Hills Live President, Terrie Palladino spoke on behalf of the organization, sharing their complete distaste for this cell tower and expressed concerns that it would not only be an eyesore, but also bad for our businesses. Donna Monteleone, tentative at first, stood up for the microphone. She said her family has been here for three generations. “Leatherman’s Ridge is OUR Bedford Oak!” The room was filled with applause for one speaker after another. Everyone cared deeply for Bedford, especially Bedford Hills.

I spoke as a generation-long resident of Bedford Hills in the affected neighborhood, explaining, I do believe there may be gaps in service and anecdotal evidence saying otherwise doesn’t mean there are not dead zones. That said, we don’t know where those dead zones are, and because the hamlet is so small, this location cannot be the only one to rectify the problem. I don’t believe Verizon has done their due diligence seeking alternate placements that are less residential.

As a former EMT married to a Bedford firefighter/KBHVAC EMT, I know the needs of first responders are integral to the safety of everyone in town and should be a primary consideration. At a past meeting, Bedford Hills first responders said they do not have gaps in service that negatively impact their service to the community. Further, there is a move in the country toward a national plan called First Net. First Net is supported by AT&T. A Verizon tower is not going to help First Responders long term if this is in fact what we are moving toward.

Next, Mr. Campanelli, attorney for Bedford Hills residents, walked to the podium. I admit, watching him was thoroughly entertaining due to both his mien and his adept performance. This was not his first battle with Homeland and Mr. Gaudioso. He did his homework and this was a performance as much as anything else. He tore apart the application, from the shoddy explanation of where the gaps in service were (no explanation), to the required proof that this tower location was the only satisfactory one. He stopped for a sip of coke and a man yelled, ‘Cheers!’ The feeling in the room changed when he took control.

Homeland Towers’ representative tried to do some spin, but the damage was done. Town consultants will confer with Verizon’s people over the next month and everyone will reconvene. Til then.