BY KATIE PRINCE
STAFF WRITER
08/24/2006

Over the next few weeks, a series of cell phone antennas will be installed on the roof at LaSalle Academy, on First Avenue, and at least one neighbor is riled.

Mr. Kaszuba, of 318 Second Ave., lives across the street from the school and has watched angrily as contractors have worked on the building during the last month.

Nextel needed rooftop space for antennas and approached parish officials, Scranton Diocese spokesman Bill Genello confirmed Wednesday.

The parish reached a deal as a means to generate revenue, Mr. Genello said, but would not disclose how much the company will pay for use of the roof.

Parishes have the authority to negotiate such arrangements, he added, but said he is not aware of any other similar agreement in the diocese.

Earlier this year, the Zoning Hearing Board in Taylor approved the installation of six Nextel antennas on St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, despite the protests of several neighbors. In exchange for allowing the antennas to be placed on the steeple, Nextel agreed to pay the church $1,200 a month.

Efforts to reach officials at LaSalle were unsuccessful.

“I’m so surprised the church would do something like that,” Mr. Kaszuba, 71, said. “Boy, does that tear me apart.”

He and his wife, Vera, are angry neighbors weren’t told about the plan. Most disconcerting, they said, is the prospect of radiation from the antennas harming the youngsters who attend school at the academy.

No need to fear, borough Fire Chief Steve Pitoniak said. Cell phone antennas like the ones being installed put out less radiation than a microwave oven.

Much to Mr. Kaszuba’s chagrin, no special permit is required for the antennas. Zoning Officer Robert Grunza said he researched the issue, consulted the borough’s engineer and determined that the six-foot antennas are permissible in an R-2 zone.

Any move by council to block the plans would constitute the illegal practice of “spot zoning,” Councilman Robert Wasilchak said.

“I’m not going to let anything go up in this town that’s going to hurt anybody,” Council President James Brunozzi said.

John Wasilnak lives next to LaSalle, and he doesn’t see what all the fuss is about.

“It doesn’t phase me,” he said. “I have a cell phone. It’s technology; we’ve got to adjust to it.”

Contact the writer: kprince@timesshamrock.com

©The Times-Tribune 2006