Serving Port Washington, Manorhaven, Flower Hill, Baxter Estates, Port Washington North and Sands Point
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Friday, October 30, 2020
Vol. 5, No. 44
Port WashingtonTimes ELECTION GUIDE 2020
MEETING TAKES ON MANHASSET MASCOT
BUDGET CHANGES SUBMITTED BY GOP
PAGES 19-24
PAGE 5
PAGE 10
OUT OF THE STORM
N. Hempstead votes to take ExteNet deal Board implores federal reps for help against cell nodes BY R O S E W E L D ON The North Hempstead Town Board unanimously voted to accept a settlement from ExteNet Systems to construct 13 cell nodes in its unincorporated areas at a virtual meeting last Thursday night. Members said they were only doing so because they had no choice, but residents said they could have done more to fight the nodes, which are intended to improve 5G cellphone service. Councilwoman Mariann Dalimonte, whose district
PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTH SHORE ANIMAL LEAGUE AMERICA
A volunteer for the Port-based North Shore Animal League America holds two puppies rescued by the organization from hurricane-stricken parts of Louisiana. The nonprofit says that over 40 animals were rescued and taken to its Port headquarters.
would be directly affected by the nodes, said: “I don’t want to approve any wireless facilities being installed right outside of people’s homes. But I believe this is an acceptable compromise under the circumstances. “The federal law has us backed into a corner. My choices are either to approve the 13, or reject the 13 and clear the way for 16. So, I will be voting to approve the settlement, because it’s better than the alternative. And that’s what’s sad here. If we as the board deny it, they’re going to put 16 in.
If we accept it, they’re gonna put 13 in ... We are in a no-win situation. And we can’t use health as a reason. We can’t.” Under FCC rules, municipalities can only cite aesthetics and node locations as valid reasons to reject applications, with other factors like health not allowed to be considered. The rules have not stopped residents on the North Shore from bringing up their concerns over health as a result of the nodes at public meetings and forums for villages that received applications. Continued on Page 41
Town OKs changes to waterfront biz zone Three-year process comes to a close at Thursday meeting BY R O S E W E L D ON Following years of discussion, North Hempstead’s Town Board approved a series of changes to the town code addressing the Port Washington waterfront last Thursday night. Town Councilwoman Mariann Dalimonte, who for the past year spearheaded the ef-
forts, said that the changes were the results of much discussion. “Over these past nine months, in addition to all of my discussions with the Steering Committee, I’ve had hundreds of emails and phone calls from people concerned about the height and density of any future development in the BW
zone,” Dalimonte said. “As both a long lifelong resident and the representative from Port Washington, I request some additional changes be made to the final proposed code before us today. I believe the code we will be voting on tonight is the right code for Port Washington.” Continued on Page 52
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