South Salem has some of the worst cell dead zones in Lewisboro, and it’s not just an inconvenience — it’s a safety problem.

At the November 24, 2025 Town Board meeting, an Antenna Advisory Board member described his own heart attack, where the ambulance couldn’t connect its equipment because medical gear needs cellular service, not WiFi. Another resident couldn’t reach 911 after hitting a deer. When storms knock out power — which happens regularly here — WiFi goes down with it, leaving residents with no way to call for help if they don’t have cell bars.

This isn’t a new problem. The Antenna Advisory Board has been investigating sites to close South Salem’s coverage gaps since 2020. Its own chair said in November 2025: “five years later, we are back to where we started.” Verizon and AT&T have both told the Town Board that South Salem is their next priority site, and that no additional towers anywhere in Lewisboro will move forward until this gap is closed.

After five years of review, the salt dome site on Spring Street has been identified as the only viable location — the Presbyterian Church steeple was considered and rejected because it’s too short to work for Verizon, and Mountain Lakes only supports county radio, not commercial carriers.

We understand neighbors have real concerns about a new structure near homes. But the alternative isn’t “no tower” — it’s more years without reliable service in an area where it has already delayed emergency response. We’re asking the Town Board to move forward with the Homeland Towers lease so South Salem finally has the coverage it needs.

Sign this petition if you want reliable 911 service, safer emergency response, and to finally close a gap that’s been studied for five years.