Kings Park school board opposes cell tower

The Kings Park cell tower controversy has reached an abrupt and anticlimactic conclusion.

Less than 10 minutes after starting their meeting Tuesday night, all five members of the Kings Park school board told a crowd of more than 200 people that they opposed building a 125-foot tower at the district's administrative offices on Lawrence Road. Residents who packed the Kings Park High School cafeteria applauded each trustee's statement.

Though it was not a formal vote, the board made clear it had no intention of considering a proposal by East Islip-based Suffolk Wireless to erect and operate the tower. The district would have earned hundreds of thousands of dollars in annual revenue from the spire.

"That's off the table," said board president William Motherway. He said he had received 100 emails opposing the tower.

Opponents had said they worried about electromagnetic emissions. They distributed fliers before the board meeting tying cell antennas to cancer and lower property values.

District officials had said the tower would improve service in a neighborhood where cellphone reception is poor. The added revenue would have helped the district retain teachers and staff, officials said.

One opponent, Julie Terrana, said Wednesday the board's announcement left her "absolutely thrilled . . . I acknowledge we need cell service. But I thought the board gave their opinions responsibly."

She said one of her three children attends a preschool program at the building, which is a five-minute walk from her home.

"We don't need cell service on school property right on top of the neighborhood," she said.

No link has been found between cell towers and adverse health effects, and federal officials have said the antennas are safe.

But in an interview after the meeting, Motherway said studies have not conclusively found cell antennas do not cause cancer. He said the tower would have been too near homes and the district's administration building, which formerly was San Remo Elementary School.

"There is a chance we're going to have to use it as a school building again," Motherway said. "If we have a cell tower there, we can't use it as a school building."

Suffolk Wireless did not return a call for comment.