ISLIP, NY — The public is set to weigh in Thursday night on a 102-foot monopole proposed for on state land on Route 27 in Islip.
The project has been pitched by Crown Communication New York, the state’s wireless telecommunications site manager.
On Monday, the Town of Islip announced the news of the proposed tower — as well as a community outreach meeting slated for Thursday night at West Islip High School.
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Crown posted a notice about the meeting on the town’s Facebook page. Anyone interested in learning more about the proposed project can attend the meeting on Thursday, June 27, from 7 to 9 p.m., in West Islip High School’s auditorium.
In response, residents cried out in protest, citing short notice, health concerns and the proposed tower’s proximity to schools and historical landmarks as reasons to oppose construction.
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“We are in the early stages of working with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation on a proposed wireless facility that will increase wireless service to the area. Community leaders were notified of the proposed project in May,” a Crown Castle representative told Patch.
The notice said a “service need” has been identified in the Town of Islip, so Crown is “proposing the construction of a state-owned 102-foot monopole on state-owned land under the jurisdiction of OPRHP at the Robert Moses Causeway Northbound Access Ramp at Route 27A in the Town.
“Per the State contract with Crown Communications, Crown is responsible for bringing proposals to the state when a state-owned property has been identified as a location that can address a service need, and the state is obligated to review these proposals,” OPRHP’s John Craig told Patch on Wednesday. “Last fall, OPRHP non-approved a conceptual proposal for this telecommunications installation, but provided Crown the option to resubmit a revised proposal after conducting appropriate public outreach.”
Craig said that Crown scheduled the public outreach meeting with local elected officials to present the proposal and allow community members to voice their opinions. The comments will then be compiled by Crown and returned to OPRHP for consideration after the public meeting, he added.
According to the notice, “the top of the proposed monopole will be reserved to support antennas used by New York State police, fire and emergency services.”
It will also support Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile antennas and “future commercial wireless and governmental co-locators” at lower levels with a fenced equipment compound at its base.
Crown Castle told Patch the meeting is to “gather public questions and comments to be addressed during the review process.”
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