L&M Publications
Merrick Life • Bellmore Life • Freeport-Baldwin Leader • Wantagh-Seaford Citizen

A demonstration protesting the erection of a cell site on the roof of the Farmingdale-Wantagh Jewish Center drew 60 people on Sunday July 18.

 “It was a peaceful demonstration,” said Scott Boiko of Wantagh.  “Someone had called the police claiming that we were blocking the driveway [of the Farmingdale-Wantagh Jewish Center] but that wasn’t the case.”  

Mr. Boiko said the neighbors have put up signs in their front yards protesting T-Mobile’s plan to put up cell equipment on the roof of the Farmingdale-Wantagh Jewish Center.  “Some of the neighborhood children carried a mock-up of a cell tower,” said Mr. Boiko. 

In earlier reports The Citizen wrote that T-Mobile would erect six towers. T-Mobile has informed us that this is incorrect. The plan is to place six antenna, not towers on the roof. The Farmingdale-Wantagh Jewish Center had no comment on the proposal.

Residents were also present at the July 14 zoning Board of  Appeals hearing on this project at  Hempstead Town Hall. The hearing was postponed to October 6. 

“We need to get residents to attend the October 6 hearing. We must keep the pressure on so that we can resolve this issue,” said Jeanine Boiko of Wantagh.

In nearby Merrick residents are also unhappy about the proliferation of cell equipment. Groups including MOMS [Moms of Merrick and Bellmore Speak Out], local civic organizations and attorney Andrew Campanelli are working with the Town of Hempstead and county Legislator David Denenberg to curtail the placement of cell equipment in residential areas and near schools.

For information you can contact www.wantaghconcernedcitizens.com or join the Facebook page – Wantagh residents against T-Mobile celltower. Residents may also call Pam Dempsey at 221-6567.

Statement from T-Mobile

At T-Mobile, we know the importance of keeping families connected. Nearly 90% of all Americans use cell phones. And with that mobility comes peace of mind. 

Nowadays, 50% of children, ages 6-18, say they’ve used their cell phones in an emergency. It’s no surprise really – half of all 911 calls are made from a wireless phone.  Of course, families also rely on cell phones every day to send emails, photos, and text messages when they’re at home and on the go. It takes a robust network to successfully make all of those wireless connections. 

To meet this growing demand for reliable residential coverage, we’re expanding our network across Long Island. We focus on bringing new wireless sites on air that blend into the communities they serve and deliver the biggest service improvement for local families. 

We’ve evaluated potential locations throughout Wantagh where families demand enhanced wireless coverage. We believe that our application for one concealed wireless broadband site on the roof of the Farmingdale-Wantagh Jewish Center strikes the optimal balance between the needs of local wireless users and the interests of residents, many of whom rely on cell phones today to stay connected to family, work, friends and emergency services. 

We’re eager to bring superior wireless coverage to Wantagh.We know that reliable cell coverage means improved safety and quality of life for everyone. 

The FCC provides strong regulation of the wireless industry by setting conservative, science-based guidelines to protect public health. T-Mobile sites operate well within the federal safety standards established and enforced by the Federal Communications Commission.

- Jane Builder, Northeast Senior Manager  of External Affairs, T-Mobile USA

By Laura Schofer

Laura Schofer, staff writer for L&M Publications, has been recognized with several awards for many of her feature pieces published in Bellmore and Merrick Life, The Citizen and The Leader.