Serving Williston Park, East Williston, Mineola, Albertson and Searingtown
$1
Friday, October 30, 2020
Vol. 69, No. 44
ELECTION GUIDE 2020
BELMONT WORKER CHARGED IN HORSE DEATH
BUDGET CHANGES SUBMITTED BY GOP
PAGES 19-24
PAGE 9
PAGE 10
N. Hempstead OKs ExteNet settlement Town Board implores federal reps for help as 13 nodes slated for construction 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 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. In August 2019, ExteNet, contracted by Verizon Wireless, filed applications to install 16 cell nodes in areas including Port Washington Estates, Manhasset Bay Estates, Bayview Colony and an unincorporated area near Plandome Manor. Continued on Page 41
PHOTO BY ROBERT PELAEZ
Village of Mineola Mayor Scott Strauss organized a car parade to celebrate retired Sgt. Anthony Catalano’s 100th birthday on Saturday. See story on page 2.
Our 3rd track work to end by fall 2021: 3TC to Mineola BY TOM MCCARTHY The heavy work needed for the Long Island Rail Road’s third track project in Mineola will be done by the fall of 2021, con-
struction representatives said at a Mineola village board meeting last Wednesday. “Since we’ve last been here, we have made some really big strides on this project,” Third Track Constructors (3TC) spokes-
woman Leslie Mesnick said. This only includes 3TC’s portion of the work as the MTA will need to continue to do ongoing work for the third track to be put in by the end of 2022. Continued on Page 42
Support local journalism and get real news Subscribe to the Blank Slate Media newspaper of your community https://theislandnow.com/subscription/