Wednesday: UI Tree Trimming Public Hearing In Milford

Want to know more about United Illuminating's proposed Enhanced Tree Trimming program?

Or have a question, comment or criticism you'd like to share with utility company and/or city officials?

Well, this week Milford residents will have that opportunity. 

Public Hearing Wednesday

This Wednesday, April 2 a public hearing will be held in Milford to discuss UI's Tree Trimming Program.

In addition to representatives from UI, Milford's legislators and the Milford Tree Warden will also be on hand. 

The hearing begins at 7 p.m. in the City Hall Auditorium, 110 River Street in Milford.

Preventing Power Outages

When a serious storm hits — be it a hurricane or blizzard — one side effect is often a loss of power. And few events anger residents more than a prolonged power outage.

And, according to United Illuminating, the main culprit in those outages is trees — both dead and live, positioned around power lines that come down when they do.

So in an attempt to mitigate future occurrences, UI is undertaking an Enhanced Tree Trimming for its Distribution Vegetation Management Program that will virtually wipe out many trees around power lines.

Concerns Raised

But many residents throughout the region have raised concerns about the program.

They argue the work could radically change the landscape of the towns UI covers, which includes Milford, as well as Ansonia, Bridgeport, Derby, East Haven, Easton, Fairfield, Hamden, Milford, North Branford, North Haven, Orange, Shelton, Stratford, Trumbull, West Haven and Woodbridge.

One Milford resident recently shared an open letter to the community regarding her concerns about the program's impact here in Milford and throughout the region. 

The vocal opposition to the trimmings caused UI to put the breaks on the program earlier this year. Since then, the company has been holding meetings with area residents, as well as state and local officials, as it works to revise and refine its plan for trimming.

What's your take on the trimming program? Do you think it's a necessary step to take to protect the area's power lines during storms? Or do you think it would have a negative impact on the region's environment and landscape?