Sleepy Hollow residents debate proposed cell tower
In the 55 years Rich English has lived in Sleepy Hollow, the village has maintained a rural, rustic atmosphere.
Residents haven't been allowed to put up fences or sheds, he said, and boats can't be parked in the driveway.
"As long as I've been here, the village has always had an image," English told the village board Wednesday. "I know what the village has tried to maintain."
A 125-foot tall cellphone tower, he said, does not fit that image.
English was among the dozens of residents who attended a special informational village board meeting. National Wireless Ventures, LLC, a company that offers services to wireless phone companies to improve network coverage, submitted an application to the village last month to put up a proposed cell tower just south of the village hall at 1 Thorobred Lane.
Citing safety and declining property values, several residents said a cell tower has no place in the village.
"We do not want to see lights glaring in our windows ... but we aren't just talking about aesthetics," said Rhonda Merkel, of Thorobred Lane, noting that she's concerned about potential health risks from cell tower radiation.
Others, however, believe that communication needs to be improved, including resident Rich Reed, whose wife depends on communication from her home for health reasons.
"We are becoming wireless-dependent," said National Wireless President Bob Stapleton, noting that the cellphone carriers have requested more coverage in the area.
Rutland-Dundee Fire Chief Rick Thomas said the tower would also improve the communication for emergency personnel and dispatch centers.
"We're trying to improve our connectivity," he said. "It will allow us to communicate to each other and the dispatch center, which is very critical."
Additionally, the company would lease the village land for the tower, meaning the village could bring in an estimated $20,000 of additional revenue per year, Village President Stephen Pickett said earlier.
"It's not going to help a whole lot, but it could help a little bit," said resident Eva Tipps.
Many residents called for the village and the company to consider other sites, rather than put a tower up in the heart of the village.
Though this wouldn't be the first cell tower in the village, the other two tower sites - one located off Boncosky Road and the other west of Randall Road - are private property.
No action was taken Wednesday. The village board will revisit the issue at a later meeting.