The Village of Plandome Board of Trustees voted to declare that the construction of a macro wireless facility tower will have no significant environmental impact at its Monday, March 9, meeting,
bringing the village one step closer to building the long-delayed project.
The tower, planned for a plot of land near the Department of Public Works that it leased to Liberty North Shore, has been in the works for years.
The village also voted to reaffirm its lease with the tenant in case of any public pushback against the tower as has occurred in some municipalities.
Liberty North Shore is in talks with different companies to operate the tower and is looking to finalize an agreement with Verizon, the board said.
But Village Attorney Paul Pepper said he is not expecting any public opposition.
“The first two hearings we had the reception was great,” he said.
Pepper said about 20 residents showed up to voice their support due to poor cellular coverage in the village.
“We all know we need better cell service,” said Mayor John Kurkjian.
Clerk/Treasurer Barbara Peebles also updated the board on the village’s financial standing as it prepares for budget season.
“The tax levy is going to go up. There’s no way around it,” Peebles said.
She said the largest line item affecting next year’s budget is the 10.5% year-over-year price increase for police services from the Nassau County Police Department. The police services, which account for almost half of the village’s budget, will go up to $2.1 million.
But Peebles said costs are up across the board with gas and oil expenses doubling from the year before.
Peebles also notified the board that the village has exhausted its $40,000 contingency budget, with the largest expenses for snow removal and legal matters.
The board also voted to approve changes in property tax assessment for two residents who filed their own grievances.
Peebles said the village received 84 property tax assessment challenges filed by property tax grievance consulting firms on behalf of homeowners, but none provided evidence, so she recommended the village deny the challenges.
Trustee Rich Dunphy, the board’s liaison to the police department, said there were no major crimes reported in the village in the last month.
“It’s a pretty good report,” he said.
Dunphy said he saw an officer parked on North Drive to ensure that cars were not speeding, and the department has issued 13 parking summonses.
Trustee James Corcoran also said he plans on working with the Department of Public Works to assess road damage in the village after the winter season’s heavy snowfall.
The board will have its next meeting on Monday, April 13, at 6 p.m.
