Watch CBS News

New 60-Foot-Tall Utility Poles Anger West Islip Residents

WEST ISLIP, NY (WCBS 880) - Newer and bigger is better, right? Well, not if you ask people in one Long Island town.

WCBS 880 Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs In Suffolk County

Podcast

You can't help but notice the new 60-foot-tall utility poles being installed in West Islip.

They're 30 feet taller than the old ones, which some say look like toothpicks in comparison.

"They're huge. They're very big," says one resident.

Many echo that sentiment, calling them an eyesore.

Residents' complaints have forced a stop work order on the $12 million project.

The Long Island Power Authority says it will try to meet community concerns.

"My personal opinion is why can't they put them underground?" asks one homeowner.

Homeowners say the ugly new poles are causing property values to decrease.

They even have an abbreviation for them - BFP. The B stands for big and the P stands for poles. You can fill in the rest.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.