The Oyster Bay Town Board acted on behalf of Locust Valley residents' concerns about cellular towers as they questioned Bell Atlantic representatives who propose to erect an 104 foot monopole in an "H" Industrial area in Locust Valley. The attorney, Matthew Packman, of Packman, Packman, Packman & Brown, asserted that the location was ideal for their purposes and would plug a hole in their communication network.

Residents pointed out that while the parcel on Elm Street is industrial, it is next to 64 homes; the Boys & Girls Club playing field; and is 100 feet north of the 20 acre Pennoyer Preserve, a wildlife area.

Supervisor John Venditto suggested that the town might best serve residents, by sitting down with the various communications servers to find the locations they say they need - and which, at the present time, the Federal Communications Commission say - they must have to prove seamless service.

The Bell Atlantic "deficiency area" includes Lattingtown, Matinecock, Locust Valley and Glen Cove. The proposed monopole is topped by a triangular area that will hold nine antennas.

During the hearing, Councilman Leonard Symons held up a map of the township which indicated that to have seamless service, the carriers need 12 sites. That may be the key issue. Supervisor Venditto attempted to determine if a Nextel cellular tower will go up that was proposed for the Village of Matinecock. If it does, it could solve the needs of the provider, if they are included on the tower. Mr. Parkman said the tower was in litigation - still pending before the Federal District Court. The village has a six month moratorium on the towers, until November 1998. Local law says it can be extended, said Mr. Parkman.

Mr. Venditto said this could be relevant to what happens in Locust Valley. During the hearing, it appeared that Bell Atlantic considered as locations the Locust Valley School District, Locust Valley Water Tower and the water tower at the North Shore Country Club but found them all too short.

The Matinecock tower is not the only one under consideration in this area. Also on the town calendar was a resolution on a determination by the TEQR commission, that a proposed cellular tower for the Oyster Bay Water District facility on Mill Neck Road doesn't need an environmental impact statement.

Added to that is the information the East Norwich Civic Association presented at their August meeting, that there are several cellular locations that have sprung up on LILCO poles in the East Norwich/Muttontown area. President of the ENCA Matthew Meng said the locations include: one opposite Edward's/Sugar Tom's Road; one on the north side of 25A opposite the Hoffman Center; one opposite the Route 25A exit of LIU at CW Post; one near Youngs Cemetery on Cove Road.

"The Town of Oyster Bay was in federal court over the issue on two cases, (one hearing took place on Feb. 20, 1996, for the Sea Cliff Water District on Dumont Place, located in Glen Head, outside the village jurisdiction, and the other one hearing took place on Jan. 21, 1997, on the South Farmingdale Water District, on Langdon Road,)" said the town spokesperson.

The town lost both cases in district court and is now appealing to the US Circuit Court.

There is also a case pending on a water tower in Hicksville on which the town has made no decision.

Other local areas have been asked to use their land by service providers. Cellular towers were proposed for the villages of Muttontown and Brookville. The Village of Oyster Bay Cove received a proposal some time ago.

Additionally, there are cellular installations on the Oyster Bay Water District tower on the Bermingham property in Oyster Bay, at the Bayville Village Complex and on a Massapequa Water District Tower.

During the hearing Supervisor Venditto, Mr. Symons and Locust Valley residents questioned the Bell Atlantic representatives including: is the tower safe - can it fall down in a storm. Mr. Parkman said it was designed to bend and not break in a hurricane. "This pole design has never failed," he said. Mr. Venditto said they said that about "The ship that sailed on April 1912 - you all now what I'm talking about."Residents questioned, when the cellular technology advances to satellite use, will the proposed tower be removed - and a suggestion that they should bond for that; a request to know from where the tower will be monitored - residents called out "New Rochelle," but Bell Atlantic said "Mineola," but could not give the location and said they would find out.

Locust Valley ninth grade Earth Science teacher, Walter Grezinski gave a slide presentation that showed the view of the monopole from local sites; he suggested the tower might attract children to climb it; he asked how the monopole would affect birds on the Atlantic Coastal Flyway and said that at night it would be a physical barrier to birds.

Another speaker suggested that vibrations from LIRR cars might affect the tower.

Tom Hornosky, warden for the North Shore Wildlife Sanctuary said the Pennoyer weeds are only 50 feet away from the site. He said they were not informed of the proposed tower even though they are inside the 300 foot notification area. The area is home to a red fox den, red tailed hawk, cardinals, waterfowl, possums, raccoons. He said the National Environmental Policy Act calls for them to investigate the environmental impact of the tower. He wants an environmental impact statement done.

There was applause from the audience.

Another speaker said a Sprint and Nextel Cellular tower is reportedly on the Locust Valley Water Tower on Wellington Road.

She and other speakers asked if co-location was considered by the carriers to reduce the number of towers needed. John Venditto underscored the comment, saying, "Co-location is very important."

Elizabeth Faughnan, speaking as a local resident said it is a shame Congress has largely pre-empted local control and made a public policy that phone service is more important than safety. She suggested people write to their congressmen asking for local control.

The board reserved decision and will consider the application.