§ 115-a. Ferry service. A village which owns property which is disconnected geographically by water from the mainland area of the village and the mainland of the state, which such property is not connected by any bridge or viaduct with such mainland area, may acquire, by purchase, lease, charter, new construction or otherwise, and provide, maintain and operate a ferry or ferries, together with the necessary boats and terminals therefor, or may provide ferry service by contract upon such terms and conditions as prescribed by the village board, for the transporation of passengers, express matter and freight between such property and such mainland area, during the whole or such portion or portions of the year, and may charge or agree to such rates therefor, as it may deem advisable, and each such village shall have the right to spend money for such purposes or any of them. Before operating any ferry or ferries, the village shall obtain such license or permission from the branch or branches of the United States government having jurisdiction over the navigable waters in which such ferry or ferries shall operate, as may be necessary or required, but notwithstanding any other provision of law, it shall not be necessary for any such village to obtain license or other permission for the operation of such ferry or ferries from any other body politic or court of the state of New York. For the purpose of this subdivision the mainland of Long Island shall be considered part of the mainland of the state of New York.

The provisions of this section shall be controlling notwithstanding any contrary provisions of law.