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To the editor:
Last month I helped organize a neighborhood forum co-sponsored by the Greenfield Hill Village Improvement Society and RTM members from Districts 2 & 3 to make sure local residents are informed on United Illuminating’s (UI) tree-trimming plan, which will be starting soon. For residents who could not attend the forum, here is the latest information on the proposed UI plan.
What’s Happening?
It’s important that trees are regularly pruned and that diseased, damaged or at risk trees are removed for public safety and/or to protect our power supply. Properly pruning trees can help reduce the number of power outages caused by branches or trees falling on power lines during storms.
UI is set to begin an eight-year, $100 million tree pruning and removal program in Fairfield, authorized under Public Act 14-151 (HB 5408). While the program will ultimately be town-wide, the initial phase will largely be in the Greenfield Hill area.
As part of its plan, UI intends to prune branches or remove trees that are within 8-10 feet above, below or on either side of power lines (this means 16-20 foot wide clearance known as the “Utility Protection Zone”). The plan includes trees on both private and public property. Stump grinding and replanting are not part of the program.
What You Should Know
1. As the program begins, UI will send a letter to homeowners in areas where they intend to start work, to provide general notice. They will then go door to door to explain the program. If the homeowner is not available, UI will leave information,including a consent form at the door.
2. Homeowners must complete and return the consent form advising if they agree, object or seek a modification to the planned tree work. If the homeowner objects, a copy of the form must be sent to the Fairfield tree warden and/or state DOT commissioner (if the tree is located in a state right-of-way), and a decision will be made within 15 days. If the decision is in favor of the homeowner, UI may appeal with the state Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA). If the decision is against the homeowner, the homeowner has the right to appeal to the State Superior Court and with PURA.
3. Fairfield’s tree warden, Ken Placko, is committed to ensuring UI adheres to our local ordinances, which require that a permit be requested for each tree to be pruned or removed. Ken has also reinforced that, despite the Utility Protection Zone, if a tree is healthy and not at risk, it should not be removed.
This information is being shared to help build awareness and understanding among our residents about the full extent of the plan that will be underway soon.Click here for more information.
Any Fairfield residents that have questions on the current UI plan may also contact me at ldevlinrtm@gmail.com.
Laura Devlin
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