PSEG Tree program concerns Plandome Heights mayor

Catherine Teevan

Village of Plandome Heights officials expressed concerns about PSEG’s tree trimming program on Monday.

Mayor Kenneth Riscica said he was “disappointed” with the utility’s response to problems such as  tree limbs near wires, citing work done at his Winthrope Road home.

“They trimmed in front of my transformer, but not the rest of the road.” Riscica said.

He said he also observed tree limbs hovering dangerously close to power lines in the Bourndales neighborhood and other parts of Plandome Heights.

Officials said they conferred last month with PSE&G representatives and issued a report, Failed Response in Tree Trimming, which was circulated at the meeting.  

The mayor complained that certain neighborhoods are not priorities with the power company.  

“Flower Hill had their trees trimmed.  We did not,” he said.

“Sands Point had their trees trimmed.  We did not.”

Plandome Manor, Port Washington North, and Baxter Estates weren’t serviced, either, he said.

PSE&G said there were problems in some neighborhoods that hinder their response, Riscica said

“We have rear yard lines,” he said, which “aren’t visible from the street.  When there’s overgrowth, the only one who knows it is the homeowner who lives there.  The combination of the overgrown trees and the old wiring is a particular concern.”

“We had a good discussion,” he added.

PSE&G said it is ‘budget challenged” and has cut back on the tree work, Riscica said.  He said the requested tree work in Plandome Heights has been scheduled by PSE&G for 2016.

Not everyone may be pleased about PSE&G’s “more aggressive” trimming techniques, he said.  “People get up in arms because they hack away at the tree.

“We can expect backlash.  I heard a story about a homeowner with a machete in Flower Hill, of all places.

“From my point of view, it’s a rear yard.  It’s public safety.  I want the limbs cleared,” he said.

At the meeting officials also expressed concerns about stray cats.

Trustee Norman Taylor said he saw a surge in stray cats after a local resident who used to nag officials about addressing it moved away.  

“I’m starting to see cats running across roads,” Taylor said.  “I drove to the village today.  I had three cats run in front of the vehicle.” 

Taylor asked the board to take action “before it becomes a problem.”  

Another trustee suggested advising people not to feed stray cats.

Riscica agreed the first step was to alert residents.  

“We’ll put this in the next newsletter,” he said.  

Riscica also announced a report of damage to the new high intensity spotlight installed last spring on the flag pole on Plandome Road.

“Thanksgiving weekend, the cherubs were home from college,” he said.  “It looks like somebody just gave it a kick.”

Riscica said repairs are underway, and he “knew it was a vandalism risk when we installed it.”

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