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October 01, 2008 | 03:05 PM
In our 21st century world, we rely heavily on our cell phones — and yet "dead zones" remain prevalent along the North Shore. Possible solutions do exist, addressing both aesthetic and health-related concerns, but key organizations must take the initiative and pursue them.
As one cellular carrier suggested in its proposal to place a cell tower inside the steeple of an East Northport church, antennas can enhance reception in residential areas while remaining out of the range of everyday human activity, diminishing potential (though largely unproven) health risks and minimizing the spread of spindly metallic towers rising into the sky.
According to its own definitions, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves of steeple-antennas. Noting on the American Cancer Society website that "power decreases rapidly as one moves away from the antenna," the FDA suggests that a person would "essentially have to remain … at the height of the antenna and within a few feet" to be exposed to electromagnetic levels "at or near" FCC limits. Hard to do, when the antenna is hidden high above in a church steeple.
Despite minimal evidence even suggesting that cell towers pose health risks, community leaders exercise considerable caution when it comes to approving antenna applications. They should, not only because of the possible risks, but because these towers are, by and large, ugly.
But if we're going to continue our love affair with cell phones we need to ramp up local cellular service. Great swaths of Stony Brook village and Old Field remain in the dark, signal-wise, and if these dead zones are to come to life, new towers will have to go somewhere.
A bonus for churches and other institutions allowing towers on their property: Communications companies tend to pay well. A bonus for everyone else: Cell service improves without technological monstrosities encroaching on pristine lands.
We understand a church steeple along Christian Avenue in Stony Brook has been considered for a cellular antenna. This might go a long way to alleviate the area's dead zone and avoid what, in extreme circumstances, may be a life-threatening event were 911 service unavailable in an emergency. One is already located inside the steeple of the Setauket United Methodist Church, although you'd never know it by looking. We urge area churches and business that haven't already considered renting out easily disguised space for cell towers to do so. In the scope of necessary evils, this might be as good as it gets.
Just an aside: You know those floating warning lights that mark the entrances to our harbors? Would a somewhat taller installation make a well-disguised cell tower to serve the often poorly covered beach areas and waterfront communities along our shores?
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