MINUTES

COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT

Joint w/COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

Wednesday, December 13, 2000

3:00 P.M.

 

 

PRESENT:  ENV:  M. Kaplowitz, Chair;  U. LaMotte.

  CA:  K. Carsky, Chair;  L. Bronz.

 

STAFF:  S. Schecter;  T. Bernard;  C. Ryer, Sec’y.

 

ALSO PRESENT:  Legislator S. Swanson.  *See attached visitor’s list.

 

 

DISCUSSION:

The meeting of the Environment and Community Affairs Committees were called to order at 10:15 a.m., by Chair Kaplowitz and Chair Carsky, respectively, with each committee having a quorum.

 

The purpose of today’s joint meeting is to discuss the issue of cell-tower placement on the right-of-way along the various Westchester County parkways, and to attempt to find a common solution with regard to the effects on the municipalities that will be directly involved.  The existing problem seems to be that cell-towers have been, and are planned to be, erected and placed in various locations without prior notification or consultation with the municipality where they are being placed.

 

Sally Schecter noted that the invited guests included, Governor Pataki’s Office;  NYS Senate and Assembly Members;  NYS/DOT;  NYS Police;  local municipal officials; and Crown Castle International.  The NYS/DOT,  State Police and Crown Castle did not have a representative in attendance (see attached visitor’s list for actual attendees.)  Chair Carsky asked that the invited guests contribute their findings and views on cell-towers to initiate the discussion.

 

The common concerns focused on issues such as aesthetics, quality of life, environmental and possible health related effects, as well as, expressing that the owner/operator of the cell-tower would receive 70% revenue from the rental agreements.

MINUTES

COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT

WEDNESDAY, December 13, 2000

PAGE 2

 

 

Other questions presented, asked what role the County and State representatives would take to find a viable solution.  It was suggested that a meeting be scheduled near the end of January 2001, and invited guests should included the (NY) State Delegation (N. Spano and R. Brodsky, as heads);  NYS/DOT;  NYS Police;  NYS Governor’s Office; and County Administration.

 

With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m.

 

 

*ATTACHED VISITOR’S LIST

              Name              Affiliation

Hope Corbin                   Intern (MBK’s)

John Dinin                   Town of Bedford Supervisor

James Donahue                   Town of Bedford Planner

Bill Randolph                   CE’s Office

Frank Filipowski                   Rye Brook Mayor

Jeff Stonehill                   Village of Scarsdale Deputy

Amy Paulin                   NYS Assembly Member (Elect)

Lois Weiss                   Colonial Acres

Gary Pretlow                   NYS Assembly Member

Sal Rubino                   NYS Sen. Brodsky’s Ofc.

John Tegeder                   WC/Planning Dept.

Steve Otis                   NYS Sen. Oppenheimer’s Ofc.

Sandy Galef                   NYS Assembly Member

Karen Acker                   NYS Asmbly. Galef’s Ofc.

Nick Bianco                   Yorktown Council Member

George Hosey                   WC/Citizen Adv. Bd.

Norm Jacknis                   WC/CIO