With the impending arrival of GoNetSpeed’s fiber optic technology in East Aurora, many homeowners will be celebrating the increased quality and reliability this service brings. Others are questioning whether the expanding 5G networks will make it necessary or obsolete.
We just wish it didn’t have to be at the expense of our beautiful village trees.
For years, NYSEG failed to prune tree branches around utility wires. This failure had become such a concern, that our Village Tree Board had wisely urged the Village Board to fund and train its own pruners, anticipating the day may come when we’re faced with what we’re faced with today:
Over 1000 mature trees in our “Tree City” will be impacted by this project. Large limbs and branches will be removed. Some trees will not survive extensive pruning. Nearly 200 poles will be installed, 5’ higher than current ones, placing wires higher up into our most mature trees- thus requiring even more invasive pruning.
Our village’s tree canopy will look a lot different in the spring and it won’t look good.
Adding to the eyesore, the old poles will be sitting around for a long time. NYSEG, Spectrum, Verizon, etc. will move their lines from the old to the new. The problem is that Verizon’s wires are least likely to be moved because they support old telephone landlines. As such, they have no financial incentive to deal with them. The old poles can’t go away until Verizon does its job- and they have a terrible track record in this regard.
Compounding the above issues is the lack of clear, non-conflicting information. Concerned citizens have been stonewalled by NYSEG and GoNetSpeed, each of whom claims the other is the responsible go-to-party for questions and answers such as:
Will there be a street schedule? (We've now learned the answer is "No".)
Will tree cutting be done on both sides of the street or just the pole side? (Still unknown)
Will tree trimming take place around wires on homeowner’s property? (Still unknown)
Who will ensure Verizon remove its wires promptly?
What are homeowner’s rights?
As to the last question, according to the NYS Department of Public Works, a utility, company, or subcontractor is required to ask for homeowner consent prior to working on private property. Homeowner’s have the right to ask the utility or company for a “Proof of Easement”. If a homeowner refuses consent and the privately owned tree(s) interferes with power delivery, then utility rights could supersede homeowner rights. These cases can end up in court.
If residents have a dispute with a utility company over tree trimming they can contact the NYS Public Service Commission’s Office of Consumer Services at 800-342-3377.
The Village Tree Board could use your help! They hope to replant trees where needed and could use volunteers and watchful eyes. Please consider signing up to help heal the damage. (https://www.east-aurora.ny.us/government/tree-board)
A fact sheet, with information as currently known is available via a link on our homepage.
-Submitted by Susan Russell
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