Village Moves Forward In Lawsuit With MTA Over Utility Poles

GARDEN CITY, NY — The Village of Garden City is moving forward with a lawsuit against the MTA over large utility poles, which the village claims were installed without its permission.

During work on the MTA's Third Track project in the spring, crews installed 120-foot high poles on village property, between the bridge at Nassau Boulevard and Weyford Terrace. The poles carry electrical fires and LIRR signals. The village says the poles were installed without it being notified, and are in direct conflict with previous discussions it had with the MTA about the work. The MTA says that isn't true.

This week, Garden City Mayor Theresa Trouvé cast the deciding vote to break a tie on the Village Board to hire the law firm of Berkman Henoch Peterson Peddy & Fenchel to represent the village in a lawsuit against the MTA. The village is seeking to have the utility poles either removed, relocated or reduced in height.

The village approved a retainer agreement with the firm, which won't exceed $100,000 without approval from the board. The village said that funding for the retainer has been taken from its surplus fund.