Verizon Cell Antenna just 800 feet from Pawling Elementary School grounds?
by Karen Kelley
Proposed Cell Antenna in very close proximity to homes and Pawling Elementary School catches the attention of Diane Caruso – TV Reporter for News 12 Westchester.
See the recent TV coverage of the debate to put a Verizon 4G Antenna in the center of Pawling Village atop the Hudson Valley Plastics factory. (Link below) Current Village code specifies that any such cell facility must be a minimum of 1000 Feet from any school, playground or daycare center. However this proposed location is 800 feet from Pawling Elementary School grounds, 820 feet from a playground and 850 feet from the Elementary School itself (and Kindergarten), also the “Sunshine School” daycare center.
Some nearby homeowners are also alarmed that the current Village code is not being followed and this antenna would be well within the 500 foot minimum distance of occupied residences and as a general eyesore in the middle of the Village shopping area.
Pawling Residents are frustrated with cell coverage and with so many people working from home this complaint is constant at public meetings over the last 9 months. Past proposals have been made for different locations in Pawling and then abandoned by the cell service providers. Everyone agrees that service must be improved for convenience as well as safety concerns.
However, the location of this proposed antenna has become a hot button issue. “Why can’t the antenna be located on top of the new sewer plant?” asks one Pawling Village resident “That is close enough to the village but far enough away from residences and our schools to be safer”.
The Hudson Valley Plastics factory, where the antenna is proposed, located along the Pawling Metro North train station, is surrounded on two sides with modest houses and multi-unit dwellings . The closest residence is just 245 feet away from the proposed antenna. Within the 500 foot minimum required buffer zone are 20 homes.
So why is the Village Government considering this proposal? According to reporter Diane Caruso, the Village Board had “no comment” when asked yesterday. It is also unclear if the Pawling Central School Board was even consulted for this proposal as there has been no mention of it at any recent school board meeting. It is normal for a zoning change that involves a school to be a top priority for the School Superintendent and Board especially when health and safety are at issue.
Many communities around the country have grappled with cell towers and antennas near their schools. Recently many schools have ruled out allowing the cell facilities on school grounds even though there are financial incentives to allow them. But what risks exist?
Constant exposure to RF waves that cell antennas receive and transmit have been controversial. The American Cancer Society says “….RF waves from cell phone towers have been proven to be absolutely safe. Most expert organizations agree that more research is needed to help clarify this, especially for any possible long-term effects.” Long term effects is exactly what nearby neighbors and parents of kindergarten and elementary school children have on their minds.
Pawling Village residents have started a petition and ask for their neighbors to join them:
A public hearing has been set for January 12 at Pawling Village Hall. This announcement of a Public Hearing is not on the village website but a notification has been displayed at the Village Hall. The public can listen to the live meeting on January 12, 2021. Five minutes before 7:00 P.M. follow instructions below.
https://zoom.us/j/96467897189?pwd=TU96cnM4dzlvSGxoWVNFV2QrTXNJUT09
Meeting ID: 964 6789 7189
Passcode: 061969
Click here for the NEWS12 story on-line:
mention of the public hearing here.
