Massapequa Park still resists cell gear

Massapequa Park is again resisting a wireless company's efforts to place transmission equipment near residential areas.

Village leaders said Verizon approached them about finding three new sites for cellular antennas that would be used if a lease to keep antennas atop a Massapequa Water District tower isn't renewed.

That lease with the water district expires early next year. A Verizon spokesman did not return calls for comment late last week, and water district officials would not discuss ongoing negotiations.

"The best I can tell you is we're negotiating in good faith," said district Commissioner John Caruso. "What Verizon is doing, outside of that, we have no knowledge."

But Massapequa Park Mayor James Altadonna Jr. said Verizon indicated "things aren't looking good at the water tower," and is seeking alternatives to maintain cellular phone service in the village. One proposed site, the mayor said, is Destiny Plaza on Sunrise Highway.

While that is in a commercial area, it abuts homes. Altadonna opposes any wireless transmission equipment near residential areas.

"Unfortunately, most of the village is residential or backs up to residential areas," the mayor said."

The village is working with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to use property near Massapequa Park's Long Island Rail Road station for wireless communications towers.

"We've never been against technology. We'd be foolish to think these antennas aren't needed," Altadonna said. "But we think technology should be in commercial areas, not residential, where it affects property values and quality of life."

Massapequa Park in January fought installation of nine cabinet-sized signal boxes on residential utility poles. In doing so, it gained a concession: NextG Networks reduced the size of its boxes by nearly a third.

The battle was one of many on Long Island, as increasing reliance on cellphones creates a need for more transmission equipment. At the same time, residents from Hempstead to Brookhaven have resisted putting the often-unsightly equipment near their homes.