In recent months, residents of Mineola witnessed hearings in village hall for applications by wireless communication companies to install additional cellular phone antennas on various existing antennas in the village.

Verizon submitted an application to erect antennas on a LIPA tower on Betty Lane. Nextel submitted an application to install antennas on 393 Jericho Turnpike and 250 Old Country Road while lowering their antennas located on Maple Place. Sprint also submitted an application to erect antennas on 250 Old Country Road.

Although the hearings are closed, the village board has yet to make a decision regarding the antennas. Several residents expressed potential health hazards the antennas would cause. However, the village is not permitted to deny the applications based on health reasons since the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has jurisdiction over that factor.

The situation in Mineola is not unique. The Village of Massapequa Park Board of Trustees has imposed a moratorium on permits for wireless communication towers and antennas in the village. Also, the Village of Massapequa Park secured two independent scientists to analyze wireless communication tower emissions in and around Massapequa Park Village Hall and potential other areas in Massapequa Park.

Dr. Bill Curry of Pennsylvania and Dr. Stuart Maurerer from upstate New York are scheduled to conduct their tests this month.