Hundreds of Tarrytown residents are questioning why a cell tower was suddenly erected in their area, just 30 feet from a playground.
They say the 150-foot tower appeared virtually overnight and without warning. It was built by the Metropolitan Transit Authority near the Tarrytown Metro-North station but also just feet from the Franklin Courts housing complex and a playground.
MTA officials say the tower stands to improve public safety through improved radio communication but the people living in the area say some communication on the part of the MTA would have been nice before they placed this tower in their neighborhood.
That's why more than 250 people are now petitioning for the pole to be moved to a more appropriate location. "I don't think anyone wants their kids playing anywhere near a tower like that. There's also the problem that in winter you may have ice on the sides of it and the top of it and it could blow off and hurt people,” says Dan Hanover, of Tarrytown.
MTA officials responded by saying "We are working with the community to explore alternative sites, as we have from the beginning of our outreach in 2014." Two of the sites that are being considered are the new Gov. Mario Cuomo Bridge and the nearby state police barracks that are being constructed.
There is a meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. today at Tarrytown Village Hall about the cellphone tower.