Mazzei Holds Meeting Between Ronkonkoma Residents and T-Mobile Regarding Cell Antenna

On Thursday, another was held at Brookhaven Town Hall regarding the proposed on behalf of provider T-Mobile, which is to be located in a Ronkonkoma neighborhood on a LIPA transmission tower.

"It's a big deal, the pile.  I live right next door; kids play on it all the time," said Kurt Johnson about the construction area.

According to Eric Engen, T-Mobile senior development manager for Long Island, next week the pile will be removed, and a temporary fence put up, weather permitting.

When questioned by residents whether LIPA would be allowing any additional carriers on the pole, Engen said he doesn't think the pole is the necessary height for that, but conceded  he would need to speak to LIPA to comment.  He added,

"Should another carrier come up, Councilman Mazzei would be notified, and he would in turn notify residents," he said.

Another subject broached was the electric "junction box", which residents feel is too close to the street and school bus stop.  Engen said T-Mobile is open to shifting it back to the middle of the property away from the bus stop.

A major change in the site plan is that instead of leaving the area fenced in, construction will start in September on a cottage-type building, which will permanently enclose all equipment, save the junction box, to make it look more residential, as opposed to industrial.

This concealment is one of the concessions T-Mobile has been willing to make to try to placate a community that feels .

"It's the lesser of two evils," Johnson said. "It's better than barbed wire."

Engen will also look into the suggestion of putting a surveillance camera on the 12-foot- high structure with vinyl siding.

"When this [antenna] goes up I'm going to wonder everyday what's this going to do to my kid?" Johnson said. "My family is taking a hit.  I served my country proudly.  I worked really hard to buy a home, and people are just trashing it."

Kenneth MacVicar, who lives in the neighborhood, expressed that he feels the Town of Brookhaven has failed to protect its constituents.  He added, "Ignorance is not an excuse."

"I try to do the right thing by my constituents every day," countered Mazzei.

The councilman assured that he will speak to the town assessor to see if he can convince him that this is lowering property values town wide.

Joining Mazzei and Engen at the meeting were Zachary Farley, T-Mobile manger of external affairs, Kevin McManus, environmental consultant for T-Mobile and residents of the Ronkonkoma neighborhood that rallied against the antenna all sat down to discuss the project.  The Long Island Power Authority was unable to attend.