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Henry Hudson board hears presentation on proposed cell‑phone tower; public raises health and ethics concerns
Summary
At the Sept. 17 meeting the board received a public presentation from Declan O'Scanlon of FSD Enterprises proposing a cell-phone tower on district property. O'Scanlon estimated district revenue between $50,000 and $180,000 per year; community members raised health, exposure and potential conflict-of-interest concerns. No board action was taken; the proposal will go to committee and future public hearings.
Declan O'Scanlon of FSD Enterprises presented a proposal to the Henry Hudson Regional PK–12 Board of Education on Sept. 17 to locate a cell‑phone tower on school property. O'Scanlon said the site would help fill local coverage gaps and estimated district revenue from colocation and lease payments "between $50,000 and $180,000 a year," adding that initial contracts are typically five years with renewable terms and modest annual increases.
Board members asked about health, safety, maintenance and revenue. "Cell phone towers show no signs of health concerns," Mr. O'Scanlon said when asked about emissions; he added that users typically get more exposure from their personal phones than from distant antennas. He also said carriers usually absorb construction and maintenance costs and suggested that carriers, not the district, would carry most ongoing costs.
Residents at the meeting pressed technical and process questions. Andre Zelenovsky asked which frequency bands would be used and whether three-party lease structures (school, carrier, tower owner) were expected. Megan LaBlanc requested that the board post the full proposal to the district website; Dr. Beams said the presentation and proposal materials would be posted and that the contract is currently with FSD Enterprises. Several speakers, including Chelsea Witkowski, expressed opposition and raised a conflict‑of‑interest concern related to Mr. O'Scanlon's roles outside the project. Witkowski, speaking from the public, said she did not want a tower sited at the school and asked how residents could be involved; Mr. Colangelo and Dr. Beams replied that questions could be sent by email and that the district would hold public hearings as the process continues.
Mr. O'Scanlon said he would assist with compiling an RFP and confirmed that other Monmouth County schools have hosted towers. He described a typical construction schedule (summer installation) and monthly tenant visits for equipment checks, and said insurance or maintenance impacts to the district are generally limited.
No vote or formal board action occurred on the proposal at the meeting. Board members indicated the proposal will return to committee for further review and that a transparent public hearing process will be scheduled to allow additional comment and technical review.
Next steps: The district indicated it will post the proposal materials online and will consider a Request for Proposal and committee-level review before any formal board decision.
