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Town Board Round Up and Supervisor Bosworth Proposes Legislation to Address Eyesore of Double Utility Poles


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 1, 2014
MEDIA CONTACTS: Carole Trottere, Ryan Mulholland, Sam Marksheid, and Rebecca Cheng | (516) 869-7794

TOWN BOARD ROUND UP
Supervisor Bosworth Proposes Legislation to Address Eyesore of Double Utility Poles
Law would compel utilities to remove all double-poles on Town Right-Of-Way Roads

North Hempstead, NY – Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Judi Bosworth proposed legislation at the June 24 Town Board meeting that would establish a new chapter under Town code requiring public utility companies to remove any “decommissioned” utility poles, commonly known as “double-poles” from Town roadways. The Town Board set a date of July 15 for the public hearing on the proposed law.

Doublepoles occur when poles are damaged and the utility connections need to be transferred or if a stronger pole is needed to support heavier equipment. When the power company transfers its lines to the new pole, all the other utilities, such as telephone, television and computer lines, are notified and instructed to transfer their lines as well. But this does not always happen in a timely fashion.

The issue of double-poles is not only an aesthetic one, but also one of public safety, according to Supervisor Bosworth.

“Often the original pole is cracked, split or damaged and this can cause a safety hazard,” said Supervisor Bosworth. “The utility companies cannot drag their feet when it comes to removing the old poles within a reasonable amount of time.”

The proposed law would require that when a utility applies to install a pole next to another pole on a town highway or right-of-way, that utility has 60 days to remove the old pole. The penalty for violation is a fine of $500.

In other news:

  • The Town Board approved a site plan for a proposed three-story hotel for 40 Westbury Avenue in Carle Place. AVR Realty Company LLC of Yonkers proposes to build a SpringHill Suites by Marriott hotel. The hotel would be adjacent to an already-existing hotel, the Homewood Suites by Hilton, built by the same developer.

    Councilwoman Viviana Russell said that the community was supportive of the project.

  • A site plan was approved for the construction of a car repair shop located at 606 Port Washington Boulevard. The plan was approved on the condition that the developer include landscaping, new curbs and sidewalks along Beechwood Avenue and Port Washington Boulevard and additional trees be planted along the street.

  • The Town Board approved the adoption of a Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan with Nassau County. This plan will identify policies and actions that can be implemented over the long-term to reduce risk and future losses in the event of a natural disaster.
The next Town Board meeting is scheduled for July 15 at 7:30 p.m.

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