East Quogue Cell Tower Hearing Adjourned To February

A controversial 100-foot cell tower proposed to be built next to the East Quogue Fire House brought nearly 50 area residents on Jan. 12 to a Southampton planning board meeting at town hall.

During the hearing, according to an article posted on 27east, residents urged the planning board to reject the East Quogue Fire District's proposal to build a T-Mobile tower on it's Montauk Highway property.

The fire district has stated that the tower is needed to improve communications — they say there is a lack of service in the area.

In addition, the Fire District says it will collect a 5-year lease fee from T-Mobile in the amount of $2,200 a month. Their is also an option to renegotiate the lease  every five years for a total of a 30 years.

Residents, including members of the East Quogue Civic Association, say that they understand the need for improved communication, and aesthetics.

To compromise, the East Quogue Civic Association has that would ask the residents of the East Quogue Fire District to pay for a tower that would just be used for fire communications.

The planning board opted to keep the hearing open and will resume on Feb. 9 at 7 pm. at town hall.

Acting East Quogue Civic President Bob Kandell said the civic association is looking to make a showing at the meeting and will be reaching out to various area organization for support.