Nyseg To Prune Trees, Brush By Power Lines In Bedford

BEDFORD, N.Y. – Over the next six weeks, NYSEG utility workers will prune and remove trees and brush near power lines to help maintain safe and reliable electrical service in the area, said Samuel Miller, division forester for the utility’s Bedford Hills sector 463.

Within the next few days, New York State Electric & Gas utility workers will begin pruning and removing trees and brush near power lines in the company's service area.
Photo Credit: *The Daily Voice*

by Liz Button

01/15/2013 12:01 a.m.

The project will not disrupt service from wires that run from utility poles to houses and businesses, according to an announcement on the Town of Bedford website.

New York State Electric & Gas has contracted with the Asplundh Tree Expert Co. to do the work. Asplundh will use cutting techniques recommended by the Tree Care Industry Association that are designed to prevent brush from growing back near the lines.

When it comes to pruning in yards and landscaped areas, tree workers will chip branches and brush and haul away the chips, while any branches will be left in easy-to-handle lengths, according to the town site. In areas that are not landscaped, cuttings will be left to decompose naturally.

Bedford Public Works Commissioner Kevin Winn said the work will take place in NYSEG-served territory in Bedford Hills, as well as in the NYSEG territory in Katonah that lies east of (but not including) Cherry Street. Meadow Lane and its surrounding streets, known as Meadow Park, is an exception and will not be worked on this year, he said.

In Bedford Village, most of the pruning around electrical wires was done last year, but NYSEG workers will prune some sections along Route 22.

Asplundh will provide any necessary flagging and traffic control, said Clayton Ellis, manager of corporate communications for NYSEG. “While we do not expect any significant traffic delays, we ask that motorists traveling in the work zones slow down and be alert to help ensure the safety of workers,” Ellis said.

As NYSEG is working, Bedford Department of Public Works employees will continue with another type of tree work in town: clearing fallen trees and debris from Hurricane Sandy. “We’re still picking up storm debris street by street, and we’re about three-quarters done with that process,” Winn said.

Uncleared areas lie in all three hamlets, rather than one geographic area. Winn said his department is basically on schedule with Hurricane Sandy cleanup, which he expected to take four to six months.

“We’re working on it every day, it’s just a very time-consuming process,” Winn said.

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