Southampton Village Considers Cell Tower Proposal

The is considering a cell phone tower proposal that could net the village more than $5 million over a 30-year span, according to village officials.

West Islip-based Suffolk Wireless, a company that acquires cell phone tower sites for service providers, would lease a 2,500-square-foot parcel from the village to build a “stealth” cell phone tower, according to a copy of the proposal. The company needs a 50-foot-by-50-foot space in order to put in a generator and work place, said Mayor Mark Epley.

The tower, designed to look like a flagpole, would stand 100 to 120 feet tall, said village Administrator Stephen Funsch.

The contract could generate as much $5.1 million for the village over 30 years. The village would receive 50 percent of all revenues Suffolk Wireless collects from tenants, cell phone companies including Nextel, Metro PCS and T-Mobile. There is no cost to the village, Funsch said.

Funsch said during a village board meeting last week that he spoke with a Suffolk Wireless representative at a recent conference about a tower, bringing about this proposal.

Suffolk Wireless is considering locations including , and for the pole. Village Trustee Nancy McGann bristled at the Dune Beach suggestion, suggesting the instead.

Funsch said the tower could interfere with helicopter traffic at the heliport and go against federal regulations.

McGann said cell phone service in the village was spotty over the summer, and that another tower could alleviate the situation.

Epley said the proposal is a good way for the village to the , including a new headquarters for ambulances.