L&M Publications
Merrick Life • Bellmore Life • Freeport-Baldwin Leader • Wantagh-Seaford Citizen

“Good news,” is how Jeanine Boiko of Wantagh described the Town of Hempstead’s December 18 decision to deny T-Mobile’s application to erect six cellular antennas on the roof of the Farmingdale-Wantagh Jewish Center on Woodbine Avenue. 

In a letter to residents, Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray and Councilwoman Angie Cullin wrote that they considered the impact on home values and neighborhood character and found that the applicant “failed to prove need.” 

A seven hour hearing was held on October 6 that drew over a hundred residents who came to voice their concern about T-Mobile’s proposal. Supervisor Murray told The Citizen that “there was wonderful input from the residents and this [case] was the first in which the input from an expert on the side of the people helped to level the playing field.”

The Town of Hempstead hired a wireless telecommunications expert to assist in these cases.

While residents are cautiously optimistic about the decision, Jeanine Boiko said she was “waiting for the other shoe to drop,” in regard to whether  T-Mobile plans to appeal the decision.

“I am not aware of any reaction [from T-Mobile],” said Supervisor Murray. “They have four months to appeal and file an Article 78, but hopefully they will accept the decision and move on. The ball is now in their court,” she said. 

By Laura Schofer

Laura Schofer, staff writer for L&M Publications, has been recognized with several awards for many of her feature pieces published in Bellmore and Merrick Life, The Citizen and The Leader.