New York Consolidated Laws, Transportation Corporations Law - TCP § 111. Municipal consent to use streets

A district steam corporation shall have power to lay and maintain suitable pipes and conduits or other fixtures in and under the streets, parks and public places of the cities, villages or towns mentioned in its certificate of incorporation upon obtaining the written consent of the local authorities thereof and upon such reasonable regulations as they may prescribe.  Such local authorities shall be:  in a city, a majority of the members of the local legislative body;  in a village, a majority of the members of the board of trustees;  in a town, outside of a village, the town superintendent of highways and a majority of the members of the town board.