Ever since an article that ran in last week's The Roslyn News reporting that a cell tower was being constructed in East Hills by Verizon, the village's town hall has been the subject of numerous calls by residents, all expressing concern over such a tower. As it turns out, the cell tower was, in fact, recently installed on property in Old Westbury, not East Hills.

Mayor Michael R. Koblenz said the village was not involved in the wireless expansion at any time during the installment process. While constructing the cell sites, Verizon personnel said they would provide greater wireless network coverage and increased clarity when making wireless calls. But for East Hills officials, there are other factors as important as the services the company provides. Even if the village had been involved in the wireless expansion, Mayor Koblenz said village officials would have addressed height and health concerns before any cell tower could be constructed. Verizon also reported that its new site, meaning now the Old Westbury location, would enhance wireless calling on Glen Cove Road between the Long Island Expressway and Northern Boulevard.

East Hills residents were recently involved in a cell tower controversy, this one concerning a proposed tower to be built near Rallye Motors property on Northern Boulevard. The site stood directly in back of a residential neighborhood in East Hills. Property values and health issues, especially the possibility of breast cancer risks, were the main factors in that debate.

---by Joe Scotchie