Residents Speak Out Against Cell Phone Antenna at Brookhaven Town Hall Meeting

A small, but vocal, number of Lake Ronkonkoma residents spoke at the Brookhaven Town Hall Meeting on Tuesday. 

Irate homeowners came out to argue against the proposed , which is set to be erected on a transmission tower owned by the Long Island Power Authority near the residential intersection of Bay Avenue and 11th Street.

Those arguing against the placement of the antenna pointed out that it was approved without due notice to the neighborhood.  The vote never came before a Town Meeting, but was instead approved by the Building Department.

Since it would be a modification to existing tower structures instead of the installation of a new tower, there is no requirement that T-Mobile Northeast obtain a special permit from the Board of Zoning Appeals.

If it were a new tower, then a public hearing would have been mandatory.  Residents who feel blindsided by this are hoping to change the perceived loophole in the system, so that those most deeply impacted by changes such as these are included in the decision making process from the beginning.

"Why were residents not told? This goes back to March 2010. I found out about it when construction started two months ago," said Kurt Johnson, when addressing the Town Board.

Kurt and Kim Johnson, whose property borders the land used by LIPA for the transmission tower, are two of the most outspoken advocates for the community concerning this issue.

Gregg Freedner, a board member of the , was there to show his support on behalf of the local organization.

"What concerns me most is how the cell antenna is going up, and allowing for the planning commissioner to approve it without a public hearing.   Here we have a LIPA tower taken down and replaced by a new tower, because it's a replacement it's considered different," explained Freedner.  "I don't think any of us like to be surprised by construction 50 to 60 feet from our home.  We'd like them to consider changing the code so the planning commissioner does not have a right to change these towers without a public hearing."

There are already nine cell antennas in Ronkonkoma.

"They're putting it up for no reason.  Is it needed?  The way I look at it, the value of our homes is going to go down for no reason," said Kim Johnson.

Freedner is at least hoping that LIPA and T-Mobile will make this transition as smooth as feasible for those living in close proximity to the new construction.

"I would basically like to convince LIPA and T-Mobile to make the site as minimal as possible, and hide it behind landscaping, spruce it up and fence it in better; and trucks shouldn't come at six in the morning," said Freedner. 

According to him, the Civic Organization opposes cell towers in the area.  They feel it is unnecessary and in the wrong location.

In a correspondence with Eric Engen, senior development manager for T-Mobile Long Island, Kim Johnson put forth the suggestion of putting the antenna in a local commercial substation or the train station. Engen responded that they did evaluate these alternatives, but they are, "too far from the coverage gap, and would not eliminate the need for a facility in this location."

The Johnsons and others in the neighborhood are concerned about the possible health risks to their family associated with this new addition.

Kim Johnson said, "There are no studies that prove it's safe.  I have a five-year-old son.  It's 50 feet from my home. It's the first priority of any mother and father; let alone the value of our homes. We have no say in that. We can't even find out who's accountable."

Lou DeMaio, a resident living on 12th street, is incensed by the perceived lack of care for the citizens of the community on the part of regarding this matter.

"I just don't understand how the Brookhaven Town Planning Board is willing to forgo the health and well-being of their residents to satisfy the wants of LIPA and T-Mobile," he said.

Councilman Tim Mazzei is trying to organize a meeting, to bring all involved to the table for an open discussion in his office that would include residents, LIPA and T-Mobile.  It is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, March 23 at 3 p.m. as long as all parties concerned are available at that time.

"Hopefully, we'll get some answers," said Kim Johnson.  "We're not Rockefellers, but we work hard for what we have, and take pride in it."

One line of this story was inaccurately stated. The correct information is that LIPA receives approximately $2 million for wireless attachments.