HILLSDALE—The mayor and borough council plan to hire an independent cellular consultant at their Feb. 10 meeting to evaluate persistent gaps in cell service on the town’s east side, ahead of a scheduled March 10 discussion with Verizon Communications.
Mayor Michael Sheinfield said the goal is to ground the debate in data.
“This study is to add clarity so council can separate speculation from reality regarding the town’s cellular coverage,” Sheinfield told Pascack Press. “This will be an independent, professional review.”
At the Feb. 3 meeting, council members asked administrator Mike Ghassali to ensure each consultant’s scope of work addresses key technical questions and identifies any potential extra costs. Some councilors also asked how coverage would be measured and what industry standards would guide the analysis.
Ghassali said he would consult borough telecommunications advisor Peter Lupo on methodology and have him review final proposals before the Feb. 10 vote.
The consultant will be asked to:
- Map and document cell-service gaps in the eastern section of town
- Evaluate options to improve coverage, including but not limited to a proposed 150-foot monopole tower
- Assess whether River Vale’s new cell tower at its Public Safety Complex could improve Hillsdale coverage once operational
- Review radiofrequency exposure considerations related to smaller cell facilities
Two proposals were received: 360 RF for $5,800 and WirelessMapping.com for $1,800. Ghassali said both firms indicated they could complete their reports before the March 10 council meeting with Verizon.
Also Feb. 3, the council received and filed 23 letters regarding the proposed 150-foot tower at Stonybrook Swim Club. Sheinfield said 14 supported the tower, three opposed it, and six raised questions.
The Stonybrook site remains under conditional approval. On Dec. 9, the council authorized negotiations on a lease with Verizon, attaching four conditions before final execution: a town hall (held Jan. 20), a follow-up council vote after public comment, required land use approvals, and the borough’s ability to require reasonable site layout revisions that do not materially affect the bid.
Verizon was the sole bidder, offering $48,012 for the first year of a five-year lease, with four additional five-year renewal options.