Village of Valley Stream wants old poles to go

A public hearing will be held at the Village of Valley Stream Board of Trustees’ March 23 meeting regarding a proposed local law that would require that utility companies remove old poles in locations where there are two, some installed as far back as 1985.

“Hopefully, with this new local law, we can hold them accountable and get them removed,” said Building Superintendent Tom McAleer, who said Cablevision has made it clear in recent years that old poles are “not their problem.”

McAleer produced a list of 138 spots where double poles are known to be located, and estimated that there are more than 300 such locations throughout the village. He said new poles are erected because the old ones can’t bear new weight or can’t fit new equipment, and the old poles simply remain, with utility companies refusing to claim responsibility for them.

Village attorney Michael Hopkins is writing the law.