No antenna in the steeple of First United Methodist Church

Other sites for antenna possible, expert admits
Sunday, May 8, 2005

By MERRY FIRSCHEIN
STAFF WRITER


HASBROUCK HEIGHTS - A radio-frequency engineer told the zoning board there are other places to erect a cellular antenna besides the steeple of a Burton Avenue church.

Amid Faddah suggested that Lin Cellular, a wireless telecommunications company, could place a tall flagpole at the Bank of America building at Hackensack and Highland avenues in Wood-Ridge. Faddah gave his testimony at a hearing Wednesday night on the company's application to put the antenna in the steeple of First United Methodist Church.

He was responding to questions by Matthew Ahearn, an attorney representing some residents opposed to the application.

However, Faddah defended the company's original plan, saying that the church steeple would reach the areas not covered by cellular reception in the borough. Lin Cellular is a product of the October 2004 merger between AT&T Wireless and Cingular Wireless.

This is the third time that the company has tried to place equipment in the borough. In 2002, AT&T Wireless wanted to place an antenna on an office building on the Boulevard. But after vocal resident opposition, zoning board members asked the company to find another site.

Last year, AT&T Wireless submitted an application to use the church steeple. That application was approved. It was vetoed in December by the Borough Council, which determined that some board members had a conflict of interest. Lin Cellular had to resubmit its application.

The next hearing will be in June. No specific date has been set.

E-mail: firschein@northjersey.com

Other sites for antenna possible, expert admits