The Village shall also have authority to construct an electric light plant for the purpose of lighting the streets, walks, and public grounds of the Village, and lighting any buildings in the Village, and, for this purpose, may take or purchase, acquire, and hold any water power, land, and rights of way in the Town, needed for the construction, maintenance, and operation of the electric light plant, and may use any public highway over which it may be necessary or desirable to pass with the poles and wires of the same, provided the use of the public highway for the purpose of public travel is not unnecessarily impaired.
24 Appendix V.S.A. § 215-901