Eversource 2021
tree removal

Residents Object to DPW, Eversource Cutting Down Trees in Their Neighborhoods, First Selectman Responds [UPDATES]

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UPDATE, 2:59 p.m.:

First Selectman Jayme Stevenson sent this statement to Darienite.com, referring to Friends of Animals President Priscilla Feral:

“Ms. Feral is correct in that I was attempting to appeal to her sense of public safety. Unfortunately, we were unable to complete the conversation when she hung up after calling me ‘ridiculous’ for suggesting a child could catch a tire on the heaving sidewalk and fall into the street in that heavily trafficked area. I love trees too but the safety of our residents will always come first.”

Stevenson also said in an email to concerned residents of the Littlebrook Road area: “No tree removal work will occur until 1) we walk the street again with Eversource, 2) a public hearing is held and 3) a replanting plan is presented to stakeholders, including Little Brook residents impacted by the planned removals.” UPDATE, 12:58 p.m.:

Friends of Animals sent Darienite.com this statement quoting the organization’s president, Priscilla Feral, referring to her talk with First Selectman Jayme Stevenson about tree removal:

“I agree the conversation did not go well. However there wasn’t any name calling.

Public Safety
Eversource tree trimming

Here Are Some Streets Where Eversource is Trimming, Cutting Down Trees in Darien in May and June

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Eversource is trimming and removing trees in Darien this month and in June as part of its ongoing work to reduce power outages during storms, and the utility has released a list of some streets where the tree work will take place. “In Darien, we’re doing tree work along some 60 miles of town roads this year, with crews from Lewis Tree Service doing the bulk of the work now through June,” a utility spokesman said. “Along with trimming, 111 hazardous trees are scheduled to be removed.” Schedule
Some of the work began earlier this month in the area of Tokeneke Road, Old Farm and Searles roads, Cliff Avenue and Raymond Street, a utility spokesman said. Here’s the rest of the schedule (all of the work is weather permitting, and schedules could change):

Late May:

Area includes Boston Post Road, Hollow Tree Ridge Road, Rings End Road, Noroton Avenue and Nearwater Lane

Early June: 

Boston Post Road, Old Kings Highway and Locust Hill Road
Eversource’s Tree Cutting Program
Here’s Eversource’s description of why the tree work is taking place and information on the utility’s tree program:

“As you know, Tropical Storm Isaias caused massive damage to the state, with thousands of trees being damaged or destroyed.

Eversource 2021
Eversource tree trimming

Eversource: We’re Trimming Trees to Avoid Power Outages, and You Should Consider It, Too

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In 2021, Eversource will be investing about $72 million in tree trimming and hazardous tree removal to enhance reliability for customers throughout Connecticut. — an announcement from Eversource

Eversource also encourages customers to maintain trees on their own property that can interfere with electric lines or equipment. “As we saw last summer during some severe storms, trees are the number one cause of power outages and trimming trees away from electric lines and removing dead or hazard trees is critical — especially as fierce weather seems to impact our region more frequently,” said Eversource Vegetation Management Manager Alan Carey. New Englanders saw firsthand the massive devastation caused by Tropical Storm Isaias and the powerful microburst that struck the Branford area last summer — bringing down thousands of trees around the state. Those violent storms are a clear reminder of just how destructive trees can be to the electric system.