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GREENBURGH, N.Y. – The Town of Greenburgh postponed Wednesday’s night’s public hearing to discuss NextG Networks’ plan to install wireless antennas on 20 utility poles throughout Greenburgh.
Town Attorney Tim Lewis said he expects plenty of lively debate when the rescheduled hearing takes place on Feb. 7 at 7:30 p.m.
“I think you’ll have experts from both sides, as well as the community, give their opinions as to the appropriateness of the antennas,” Lewis said.
At least some of the antennas would be placed in residential areas. Both Lewis and Town Supervisor Paul Feiner said many residents raised health concerns about the antennas. The Telecommunications Act of 1996, however, precludes the town from considering health concerns if the frequencies of the antennas are below a certain level.
Lewis said that, in this case, they are well below that level so he must try a different strategy.
“What I’m looking for is a statute or case law that I can preclude these antennas for health reasons,” Lewis said.
Lewis said residents have been vocal on this issue, particularly in the Edgemont and Hartsdale areas. The town attorney said an engineering firm for the town is reviewing the documents submitted by NextG to determine if the antennas can be placed elsewhere.
Feiner said that Greenburgh is not opposed to the antennas and is exploring the possibility of moving them to other areas.
“I believe the federal law says that we have discretion if there’s non-residential areas that provide the same coverage,” Feiner said.
I've recently moved into this area and have found this politician to be arrogant, dismissive and condescending when you address him on citizen issues and concerns.He doesn't even address you by name in his email responses. Is the whole town council like this? I understand from neighbors that most of the elected officials in Greenburgh are the only choices on most ballots. That is a recipe for disaster, as the building of the Knollwood Road Health Center has shown (against the wishes of the neighborhood). One party government? Sorry state of affairs.