Niagara Gazette
LEWISTON, N.Y. — The debate over an emergency radio tower’s location continued at Monday’s town board meeting, this time with strong representation from a fraternity of Niagara County firefighters and from consistent voices in the residents’ battle to have the tower moved.
The emergency tower was hastily constructed late in July on the property of Upper Mountain Fire Co., purportedly to meet federal deadlines. Afterward, residents and Lewiston officials raised alarm over a lack of communication with the county and the unpermitted construction of the tower. The county maintains that they dutifully informed residents and officials alike, though the Lewiston government disputes this claim.
The emergency communications project that the tower is a part of aims to eliminate limited coverage areas in Niagara County. It can only operate with all towers online. Stop-work orders issued in lieu of safety concerns hold up the final two towers to be completed in Lewiston and North Tonawanda.
Three senior ranking members of various Niagara County fire departments spoke first during the public comment session.
Lewiston Fire Co. No. 1 Chief John Penzotti detailed the lack of coverage that first responders experience. He lamented the continued battle of the tower and the helplessness he feels when he cannot reach fellow emergency officials.
“I cannot tell you the sinking feeling I get when I’m up on Hillside Drive and we’re trying to save the life of a resident and we’re calling for advance life support on the radio,” he said. “And all I hear is ‘Unit calling, you’re totally unreadable.’”
Upper Mountain Fire Co. President Gregory Sitek stood next. He, too, illustrated the panic he experiences with communication lapses among first responders. He cited specific events within the town boundaries of Lewiston that he believes illuminate the dire need for the tower.
“It really bothers me,” he said, “that the town that seems to need this radio tower the most, is fighting it the hardest.”
Rob Hoover, Chief of Sanborn fire department offered similarly vivid descriptions of radio failures among first responders and the paralyzed feeling conjured without the ability to ensure the safety of his unit.
Earl Erwin, a resident whose property borders the tower, was the first non-uniformed speaker.
“I understand the fireman need the tower for communications,” he said. “Everyone realizes that.”
Erwin’s concern was for the safety of he and his neighbors. His frustration was directed at the officials who oversaw the project, which he feels made no attempt at anticipating the damage to his property value or a decrease in his quality of life.
“To place (the tower) there on a weekend and to work right through a stop-order, it just seems more than out of line,” Erwin said. “Illegal, as far as that goes.”
Peter Fortino came to the microphone with emotion in his voice. He made note of his respect for the first responders present. He cited Love Canal and his dread when regulations, in place for public safety, are skirted in favor other interests.
“I wanted to move to Lewiston because I wanted to get away from all the towers and craziness,” Fortino said. “I busted my butt to get to where I’m at. I’ve got two young kids, who got to enjoy the place all of a couple months before this thing was sprouted up over a weekend.”
He highlighted a dilemma for residents fighting the tower’s placement.
“I’m not fighting their need for the tower. I understand the need for communication. I want them to be safe. But at the price of what? My kids? My wife?” Fortino asked.
After public comment ended, the board continued with the night’s agenda. They were interrupted by residents and Councilman Alfonso M. Bax offered response.
“None of the people in this room created the problem,” Bax said. “But it’s going to be up to the people in this room to fix it.”
He pledged the board’s support of both sides, but noted that it will likely take some time to press liability on those responsible. He spoke carefully, because of pending litigation on the matter, and would only refer generally to the board’s future plans.
In an interview outside the meeting, certified volunteer fireman Franco Lamacchia of Lewiston aired exasperation with the situation as a whole.
“It’s firemen against residents, residents against town board, town board against firemen,” he said. “Where is the county? We need to ask the county why this happened the way it did.”
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