Metricom, a high-speed wireless Internet and data network consisting of modems and radios, which are attached to light or utility poles, petitioned the Village of Garden City at the most recent board of trustees meeting, for access to the right of way, allowing them to place their radios on 18 light poles in the village.

According to Richard Bollon, speaking on behalf of Metricom, currently there are 208 New York area municipalities that have granted Metricom access to their public right of way, including the Town of Hempstead, Mineola, and Westbury.

According to Bollon, this wireless Internet access can be used by police officers doing paperwork from patrol cars and e-mailing reports to the office, public works departments issuing permits while in the field, as well as students finishing their homework on road trips and e-mailing it to their professors.

In exchange for the right of way access, the Village of Garden City will receive: annual 5 percent franchise fees of Metricom's gross revenues, collected from subscribers of the services with billing addresses in the Village of Garden City; 10 free subscriptions for use by the village throughout the term of the agreement; complete indemnification for the village and its officials of any liability or costs associated with the use or placement of radios; insurance coverage in both per occurrence and annual aggregate in the amount of $3,000,000; reimbursement for attorneys' fees attributable to its consideration, review and preparation of the use agreement and other materials; payment for any encroachments or permits necessary for the installation of the radios; and surety bond in the face amount of $2,500, as security for the faithful performance by Metricom of the provisions of the agreement.

Bollon explained that the radios give off less than one watt of energy, have emf/rf output emissions below FCC standards, do not cause interference, and comply with part 15 of the FCC regulations, which is the same license that cordless telephones, garage door openers and baby monitors operate under. "There are no public health or environment hazards and best of all, there is no cabling, trenching or towers or large antennae," said Bollon.

Following the Metricom presentation, Mayor Harold Hecken questioned what the result would be on the service of neighboring communities if Garden City did not agree to this right of way access. It was explained that though there is some overlap from neighboring communities, if Garden City does not enter the agreement then there would be some areas in the village where no service could be received.

Trustee Peter Bee questioned how long this contract with Metricom would be. Julio Medina, Metricom's senior deployment coordinator, explained that the contract would be for 10 years but that it was flexible. Trustee Torino questioned whether this agreement would tie the village into giving the same access to any other company that asks for it. The Metricom representatives explained that right now there is no other company providing this technology and the development of such would take at least three to four years, so it would not be an immediate concern. "We really believe we are going to provide a real service that is going to be of value to your community," said Medina.

The village board will investigate the need for these services and will get input from professionals in the field before making a final decision about this agreement.