West Islip residents oppose plan to build cell tower at Robert Moses Causeway access ramp

A telecommunications company wants to build a 102-foot monopole on state-owned land in West Islip to improve cell service in the area — a proposal that neighbors say is too close to homes and schools.

West Islip residents have cited concerns about potential health hazards and the appearance of the pole, which would be built on land owned by the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation at the Robert Moses Causeway northbound access ramp at Route 27A in Islip Town.

An online petition opposing the cell tower’s construction has garnered more than 700 signatures. The primary complaint focuses on potential “negative health effects of cell tower radiation” and the structure’s location near schools, a hospital and residential neighborhoods.

There is no strong evidence that exposure to radiation from cellphone towers causes any noticeable health effects, but more research is needed, according to the American Cancer Society.

The proposed tower in West Islip would be owned by the state and would support cell service from Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile, according to a letter from Crown Castle posted on the Town of Islip Facebook page.

The top of the structure would support antennas used by state police, fire and emergency services, according to the letter.

Joe DeCarlo, president of the West Islip Association, said the area is in “dire need of cell service,” but the proposed structure is “intrusive” and an “eyesore” for residents around the site.

“Why are we putting it in the middle of a residential area? It’s really not right,” he said.

It would be better, DeCarlo added, for the structure to be built somewhere hidden, farther from neighborhoods. 

“I understand they want to try and improve coverage, but the bigger thing is the placement of these things,” said Suffolk Legis. Steven Flotteron (R-Brightwaters), who said the pole should be placed in a more industrial area.

“They’re trying to find an easy way out of a real problem,” added Flotteron, who represents West Islip at the county level.

John Craig, a spokesman for the state agency that would own the pole, said Crown Castle is bound by a contract with the department to bring proposals for state-owned land that “can address a service need.”

The parks office turned down an initial concept plan from Crown Castle for the structure last fall but gave the company a chance to submit “a revised proposal after conducting appropriate public outreach,” Craig said.

Crown Castle held a community meeting at West Islip High School in June to collect public comments, which the company provided to the state on July 9.

New York State has 30 days to review and respond to a summary of the meeting, which noted community opposition, Craig said. 

The school district is not taking a stance on the issue, said Superintendent Paul Romanelli, but provided "a space for the meeting as we felt the community should have a venue to voice their opinions on the matter."

A Crown Castle representative said the company is in the "early stages" of working with the state on a proposed wireless facility that will "provide more reliable cellphone coverage and better connectivity." 

The tower would not pose a health hazard to the community, the representative said.

By Brianne Ledda

brianne.ledda@newsday.com@brianne_ledda

Brianne Ledda covers the Town of Islip for Newsday. She previously covered Southold and Greenport for The Suffolk Times and is a graduate of Stony Brook University.