The Town of North Hempstead is looking for additional villages to join its upcoming lawsuit against the Federal Aviation Administration over airplane noise, pollution and low flying planes.
At the council’s Oct. 24 meeting, the Town Board voted on a resolution calling for “the execution of an inter-municipal agreement with various villages for the retention of counsel to initiate legal action against the FAA.” The resolution, introduced by Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth, asks municipalities affected by noise, pollution and low-flying aircraft to join them.
So far, the villages of Upper Brookville and East Hills have joined the lawsuit. A press release from the Town states that legal costs would be shared by the municipalities.
“This is the first step toward potential legal action against the FAA in hopes of alleviating the burden of low-flying aircraft on the residents of North Hempstead,” Bosworth said.
Bosworth and Council Members Dina De Giorgio, Veronica Lurvey, Viviana Russell, Lee Seeman and Peter Zuckerman all voted to approve the resolution. Councilman Angelo Ferrara was not present at the meeting.
“The constant onslaught of low flying planes arriving at and departing from local airports has been identified to be a significant impediment to the quality of life of residents of the Town of North Hempstead and local villages,” the resolution states. “Despite repeated outreach to the FAA for help alleviating the issue of low flying planes over the Town, the FAA has failed to take action to provide any measure of relief from the constant stream of low flying commercial airliners impacting the quality of life and health of the residents of the Town and Villages.”
A call for comment to East Hills Mayor Michael Koblenz was not immediately returned.
The council’s next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. at Town Hall in Manhasset.
