Letter: Walls Around Cell Tower Violate Village Code

Anton Community Newspapers • 132 East 2nd Street • Mineola, NY 11501 • Phone: 516-747-8282 • FAX: 516-742-5867

Letter: Walls Around Cell Tower Violate Village Code

Friday, 04 May 2012 00:00

(Editor’s note: this letter was sent to Steven Leventhal, the attorney who represented the Village of Manorhaven in the lawsuit brought against the village by AG Towers in 2009 regarding the stop-work order. It was also sent to Port Washington News for publication. Leventhal has sent two letters over the past few weeks to William D. Wexler, the attorney representing AG Towers, in an attempt to bring discussions regarding relocation of the cell tower back to the table.)

Following a conversation with David L. Mammina, R.A., superintendent of buildings for the Village of Manorhaven, we are advised to contact you directly in regards to a violation of the village code and permit by AG Towers, so that you may take the proper legal step to eliminate the violation.

We did call you several times and left numerous messages, to no avail. We have no further option but to write this letter.

With respect to the construction of the cell tower on 41 Pequot Avenue in Manhasset Isle, please be aware that while Judge Hurley allowed AG Towers to complete construction of the tower, he did not make any reference to the walls around the tower. As Mr. Mammina and other village officials are well aware, the walls are encroaching into the side yard, alongside the Militana’s property, anywhere from 2 feet to 8 inches, in clear violation of the zoning and the variance issued by the village. AG Towers obtained a permit, which contemplated a side yard of 5 feet. Any deviation from this dimension constitutes a violation of the zoning ordinance and any variances obtained.

As you are well aware, the court left intact the power of the village to enforce compliance with its laws and regulations for “construction standards and procedures,” and since the location of the walls does not conform to those laws and procedures, we expect you to take the right step to amend the violation. It would not be a great hardship for AG Towers to correct the violation in respect to the village code and ordinance.

We brought this up weeks ago in a meeting with Mr. Mammina. Unfortunately, we have been getting resistance from the village in pursuing this issue and so it appears that the village has aligned itself with AG Towers to the detriment and over the objections of the residents instead of ensuring that the village code and permits are intact.

Kindly respond so we can share your perspective with the residents of Manorhaven and hopefully resolve this matter in a timely fashion.

Mark Lazarovic
Giovanna Giunta
Dorit Farrington

News

Ed Balcourt Leads Memorial Day Parade

Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00

Attendees of the Port Washington Memorial Day parade might see a familiar face waving from the American Legion convertible this year. 90-year-old army veteran Ed Balcourt will be this year’s Grand Marshal.

Balcourt, who was raised in Brooklyn, was attending medical school at the height of the U.S. involvement in World War II. He was deferred from the draft, but at 19, decided to join the army.

“All my friends had been drafted. When I walked outside, I could feel all the women looking at me. I felt a little guilty. I wanted to go fight,” Balcourt said.

Port VFW Selects Ripullone As Co-Grand Marshal

Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00

The Port Washington Veterans of Foreign Wars has selected Peter Ripullone, a decorated soldier and architect, as Co-Grand Marshal of this year’s Memorial Day Parade. The Ripullone family has a long tradition of military service, which dates back to World War I.

Ripullone followed the family tradition and entered military service as a second lieutenant in the army, in 1966. After completing his combat engineering training, he was certified as a combat engineer unit commander. Prior to his service in Vietnam, he spent three months with the 91st Combat Engineers, assisting in the training of West Point cadets at the U.S. Military Academy, for various combat engineering missions, including various types of bridge construction, building and fortification structures, road and runway construction, mine warfare and demolition training.

Sports

Schreiber’s Girls Softball Team – Better Shape Than Ever

Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00

Elimination in the first-round of the county playoffs, though disappointing, can’t take anything away from what the Schreiber High School girls softball team accomplished this year, according to coach Eric Sutz.

A comparison between what happened to the team last year and what the team did this year is a study in contrasts. “Last year we didn’t win one league game,” Sutz explained. “This year we were undefeated in the league.” The Vikings won all 14 of their league games and were 15-4 overall. They were conference champions for the first time since 2004.

“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.