Police District Will Take Over Operation Of Cell Tower

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Police District Will Take Over Operation Of Cell Tower

Written by Linda Portney Goldstein: portwashington@antonnews.com Friday, 13 April 2012 00:00

May 31 deadline looms large; unlikely that Verizon will be replaced

The Port Washington Police District intends to take over operation of the cell phone monopole behind police headquarters when the current lease with Crown Castle, a Houston-based company, ends on May 31, 2012. The district plans to manage the tower on its own, either with the assistance of a consultant or by hiring a private company to assist in negotiating leases with carriers wanting to use the tower.

The current carrier transmitting on the tower is Verizon and they have already approached the district regarding a lease beyond May 31. At the present time, Verizon is the only provider using the tower, but this does not preclude the district from leasing space to other providers as long as it is determined that the tower can accommodate multiple providers without interfering with police communications.

The cell phone monopole behind police headquarters that the police district intends to take over operation of when the current lease ends on May 31. The police district is dependent upon Verizon for its communications capabilities including 911 calls. They have approximately 20 Verizon modems at headquarters. The cost of replacing a modem at approximately $1,000 each makes it unlikely that the department would choose to replace Verizon on the monopole.

The original lease for the cell phone tower, which is located directly behind police headquarters, adjacent to Nassau Knolls Cemetery, was signed with NYNEX in 1992. Since then, mergers and acquisitions within the communications industry has transferred the lease agreement and ownership of the tower through several entities. The current leaseholder appears to be Crown Capital with Verizon being a subtenant.

Members of the public in attendance at the commissioners meeting on March 28 expressed concern that the end of the lease be seamless to the public and the department since vital communication is at stake. Barry Loeb, who attends many of the district’s meetings, expressed his concerns that the commissioners had dragged their feet with respect to the lease agreement with Crown and had not left adequate time to properly explore their options and negotiate a lease with Verizon prior to the May 31 expiration date.

Loeb has publicly questioned the commissioners during the last few months regarding the status of negotiations with Crown. Loeb asked if the district “Even knows who the current leaseholder is.” Steve Ressa, attorney for the district, said that, “Payments come from Crown Castle. Whether or not they are actually the legal entity that owns the lease is questionable because of the consolidation in the communications industry. We are led to believe that Crown Castle is the owner of the tower and the lease.”

During the last few months the commissioners have declined comment on the status of their talks with Crown except to say that, “There is ongoing dialogue.” On at least one occasion, Commissioner Duncan refused to answer questions about the negotiations based on attorney-client privilege.

News

Five J’s Jewelers Closing

Saturday, 18 May 2013 00:00

Joan Hutchinson’s Five J’s Jewelers will be closing its doors after 34 years in town. Currently at 155 Main Street (located in Mini Mall Shops), Five J’s has been located in different spots around Port such as the Soundview shopping center and four different Main Street locations. Five J’s has lost its lease, but will be here through the end of August. The store will be liquidating inventory of jewelry. Hutchinson’s newest venture will include a web-based business from her home, where she will continue to provide her customers with quality merchandise at wholesale prices. For more information, please email jsjewelers@aol.com or call 516-567-4142.

The Great Gatsby Director At Soundview

Friday, 17 May 2013 00:00

Baz Luhrmann, the internationally acclaimed writer, producer and director of the new 3-D adaptation of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, captivated the invitation-only audience at the Long Island premier of the film last Wednesday night at Soundview Cinemas.

“It’s touching for me to be here in Port Washington,” said Luhrmann, a native Australian. “I grew up in a small town where my father had a cinema for a short time. It’s like inviting people into your lounge room to sit in the dark and experience something together.” Luhrmann took notice of all the care that went into refurbishing the Soundview Theater, telling the guests that there really is so much buzz out there about the reopening.

Sports

“PYA Never Stops…It’s For The Kids”

Thursday, 16 May 2013 00:00

The fact that Port Washington Youth Activities (PYA) is celebrating its 50th year of working with area boys and girls is quite an accomplishment. Ron Henderson, its executive director for the past 20 years, also has a long history with PYA’s Lions Field that extends all the way back to 1958.

“I played in the first games ever held at the field back then when it was the Port Washington Little League,” said Henderson. “That was before the field was renovated.” The renovation, which began in 1999 and forced the PYA to relocate for two years from its Glen Lane site, now features four Little League fields and one major league field, all on pesticide-free, natural grass. During the fall, the fields are converted for lacrosse and football programs.