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Friday, September 29, 2017
Vol. 77, No. 39
TOB adopts cell equipment ordinance
SPECIAL OLYMPICS FALL CLASSIC
BY GARY SIMEONE
Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino (second from right), Town Councilwoman Michele M. Johnson (third from right), Town Councilman Thomas P. Hand (right), and Town Clerk James Altadonna Jr. (third from left) recently attended the Special Olympics Long Island Fall Classic at Cantiague Park. Supervisor Saladino and his colleagues kicked off the morning with athlete and torch-bearer, Marion Nabar (center). The day-long event featured competitions in bocce, cross country running, golf, soccer, and softball.
Town says it would welcome Columbus statue BY GARY SIMEONE
Columbus Day is quickly approaching, and Town of Oyster Bay officials, as well as local Italian-American organizations, honored the famous explorer at a ‘Save Columbus’ Initiative at the Massapequa Triangle on Monday. Officials such as Town Supervisor, Joseph Saladino, Councilman, Lou Imbroto and Town Clerk, James Altadonna Jr voiced their opinion about New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s recent proposal to remove the iconic statue from Columbus Circle. “We are here two weeks before Columbus Day to preserve and protect the legacy of the great Italian
explorer, Christopher Columbus,” said Supervisor Saladino. “We’re also here to call on New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio to abandon his pursuit to remove statues honoring Christopher Columbus.” Saladino added that if de Blasio and the City government do decide to remove the long standing statue, the Town of Oyster Bay would be honored to have it relocated to the Massapequa Triangle. “Make no mistake, Christopher Columbus’ iconic statue in Columbus Circle belongs right where it is. However I’m more than happy to welcome this or any Columbus statute to the Massapequa Triangle, the heart of our Hamlet.”
Two important organizations within the Massapequa community, the Columbus Lodge Order of the Sons of Italy and the Italian American Political Action Committee, attended the ‘Save Columbus Initiative.’ Former President of the Sons of Italy, Tony Ventiera, said that he was outraged by the mayor’s proposal to remove the historical statue. “This is an outrageous school of thought by people and it mocks an important figure in our country’s history,” said Ventiera. “First they’re going to eliminate Columbus Day and now we’re taking down statues!? This is a horror and I support this initiative all the way.”
Last Tuesday, the Town of Oyster Bay took a big step to limit the intrusion of wireless telecommunication equipment in local communities. Town Supervisor Joe Saladino and members of the Town Board approved new regulations to protect residential communities from the equipment being placed on utility poles near homes. Supervisor Saladino said he has been one of the biggest proponents in fighting the installation of the cellular equipment in communities. “The Town’s new ordinance will provide us additional authority over where the obstructions are placed in the future,” said Saladino. Earlier this year, when the idea for the cell phone adapters came up, Saladino petitioned for an amendment to a federal law that restricted a town’s ability to determine where these devices would be placed. “With this new initiative, new criteria includes detailed site plans, specification of equipment to be installed, placement of signage on the equipment to indicate radio frequency levels and contact information in the event of emergencies,” said Saladino. Town councilwoman, Michele Johnson, who has also been a proponent of preventing the spread of the cellular adapters, said the new ordinance would help ease the burden on local residents. “There has been an increase in the placement of these mini cell towers and other telecommunication equipment in recent months and it should not be our residents responsibility to shoulder the burden of these intrusive devices,” said Johnson. She added that the Town’s new ordinance will establish stricter guidelines as to where the equipment could be placed. With the new ordinance, applicants will be required to get a building permit before installing the adapters. In some cases they’ll also be required to obtain a special use permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals.
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