On Thursday, the Town of Hempstead Board of Zoning and Appeals heard an application by Omnipoint to build a 65-foot tower for cell antennas at 340 Dogwood Avenue. Some residents of Franklin Square aren't taking the application lying down.

An association was formed to fight the proposed cell tower application. The organization, the Franklin Square United Neighborhood Association, Inc., held a rally on Thursday, Sept. 21 in protest of the tower.

Ron Lipsky, one of the founders of FSUNA, said that the tower doesn't belong in the proposed location because of its proximity to residential areas. Although Lipsky is aware that safety concerns will not be a factor in the hearing because the federal government sets the regulations, he, like many, are hoping the town BZA will deny the application based on the effect it will have on the neighborhood.

"It doesn't fit in the neighborhood. It's a total eyesore," said Lipsky. "It just doesn't belong in a residential neighorhood."

Lipsky is also concerned about what effect a cell tower may have on property values and also questions the need for the tower. Omnipoint applied to the town to build the tower in order to close a gap in service. However, Lipsky points out that the tower would only improve service for T-Mobile customers. "It would have a very limited effect. We have a question as to whether they actually need it," he said.

The Franklin Square United Neighborhood Association has asked for donations to help with hiring an attorney and experts to fight the application. The association has hired Tom McKevitt, the former Town of Hempstead Deputy town attorney and current assemblyman in the 17th District.

Another assemblyman who is supporting the association is Assemblyman Tom Alfano, who was at the rally.

"This is the wrong place for a tower and it has to be stopped," said Alfano who called the proposal "an attack on our residential quality of life. Cell companies have to wake up and realize that neighborhoods are not cell tower sites - period."

The hearing was scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 28 at 12:30 p.m.