Utility poles in Chester Park? |
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September, 2005
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It seems the Green narrowly escaped the intrusion of a utility pole and
overhead wires from Con Ed. Unannounced to either the CPA or the Village
of Pelham, Con Ed scheduled placement of a pole near the corner of Maple
and Birch for early Thursday morning, September 29. The Sunday
before, CPA Treasurer Michael Mackay noticed the word "Pole"
spray-painted near the Park and sent a photo of the ominous marking to CPA
President Joe Vorel.
Joe forwarded the photograph to Richard Slingerland, Village Administrator, who confirmed Con Ed's intentions late Monday afternoon. That evening Joe sent an urgent notice to residents via the Chester Park e-mail list [subscribe] explaining the situation and asking residents to voice their opposition to both Con Ed and the Village. |
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Both Mr. Sliingerland and the CPA officers swung into action Tuesday morning. The administrator sent Con Ed two letters, one requesting a
two-week moratorium and the other asking for an explanation as to why the pole was needed. The CPA officers sent a letter to the Village with cc’s to Mayor Clain and Con Ed requesting the pole be placed elsewhere, specifically, on the sidewalk side of Birch, in keeping with existing poles. Vice President Scott Holden tracked down the Con Ed Public Affairs Manager, Dan Lyons, and politely but firmly conveyed the community’s opposition. By noon Tuesday Mr. Lyons was at the site reviewing alternatives with Michael. It seemed Con Ed wanted to run electric lines across Birch, into the Park, then crisscross back across Birch and Maple – all to avoid taking down a tree near an existing pole. Mr. Lyons agreed the pole should stay out of the Park, but wanted the Village to bear the expense of any necessary tree work. 20 minutes later Howard Pallet, Superintendent of Roads and Highways for the Village, appeared on the scene and agreed the Village could probably perform the tree work within the next two days. Meanwhile, former CPA Presidents Bill McDevitt and Nigel Scott-Williams contacted Mr. Slingerland regarding the inappropriateness of Con Ed’s plan from both a historical and aesthetic point of view. By Tuesday at 2:02 PM Mr. Slingerland was able to assure us, “It is resolved…. We requested and they agreed to install the pole on the south side of the street.” As a bonus, Con Ed agreed to remove one of the many duplicate poles that create eye soars along Maple Ave. It was a close call. Many thanks to the Village and Con Ed for their open and positive lines of communication. The episode illustrates graphically the value of our neighborhood association to protect our Green. |
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What else can we do to safeguard our Green? |