Utility Poles Have Port Residents In An Uproar

Two Long Island Power Authority utility poles have several Port Washington residents on Revere Road in an uproar. They say the poles in front of 7 and 9 Revere Road should be behind the homes, not in front, such as the other homes in this Salem neighborhood.

The two homes in question have been under construction since November 2009 by owner and developer Larry Weinberger. He also owns Port Washington Town Plaza, a shopping center on Port Washington Boulevard, located behind the homes.

Denise Chase, who lives next door to the homes, says she cannot understand what the rush was to hook up the electric service. What's more, all the homes on Revere Road have utility poles in the rear of the houses. The poles in front of 7 and 9 Revere Road, she said, are very unsightly.

“I don’t like to look at this, I am seeing a big box with poles and wires,” Chase said. “The poles can be moved for a cost, maybe the owner does not want to pay LIPA to do this." On a recent day in April, she also complained of "garbage bags by the homes" that were "beginning to smell.”

But Weinberger said his reason not to move the poles behind the homes has nothing to do with the cost, which he put at $20,000 for LIPA to trench the ground and relocate the poles. Keeping the poles in front, he said, is more a matter of safety and practicality.

However, LIPA Spokesman Mark Gross said moving the poles was far less costly than Weinberger's projections.  The price to relocate the poles behind the homes would run $2,500 each plus $582 each to turn the power on, totaling $6,164.

“If there is an emergency, it is much easier for LIPA to get to the poles in the front rather than accessing someone’s backyard,” Weinberger said. “Residents need to have an open mind and you have to weigh the pros and cons. When the poles are in the front, a resident can have a pool in their backyard and not worry about the wires falling into the pool and harming kids."

Gross had no comment on the safety issues, not having seen the plans, but noted, "It is easier for LIPA to access utility poles in the front of a house, rather than having to go through someone's backyard."

The homes, Weinberger said, will be sold for approximately $800,000. The wooden utility poles are not devaluing the property, he said.

Penny Payne, who lives across the street from these homes, says every day she has to see these ugly poles staring back at her.

“Everyday it is getting worse – if LIPA gets away with this one there will be poles and wires all through the neighborhood regardless of the look of the community,” Payne said. “Heavy black wires are beginning to stretch across several streets. What’s next?”

Anne Chiappella has resided on Revere Road since 1975. She agrees with her neighbors that the poles belong in the back.

“It looks horrible,” Chiappella said. “There is so much room in the back of these houses. What is the big deal about digging a hole and putting the poles in the back?”

North Hempstead Councilman Fred Pollack said this was not a Town issue and he tried to get some answers from LIPA.

“It seems Weinberger can pay LIPA to bury the lines or he can give them an easement to put the poles in the rear of the houses like the rest of the area,” Pollack said. “I have told him the neighbors are very upset and that if he wants community support in the future he should take one of these options. But the Town can't require him to do it.”

Weinberger said he has been in communication with the residents on Revere Road and tried to explain to them why the poles are better in the front rather than the back.

“I beautified the shopping center and parking lot behind the homes,” Weinberger said. “In addition, I donated a parking lot behind TD Bank, which is next to the homes, to the Town in an attempt of good faith. I always want to work with the residents in the community to keep the neighborhood looking its best.”