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Residents complain to council about Newport Utilities right-of-way clearing, report property damage
Summary
Multiple residents told the board they experienced clearing of vegetation on utility rights-of-way that they say crossed onto private property, causing damage to trees, water lines and culverts; council members directed speakers to Newport Utilities' board while noting limited authority to intervene.
Several Newport-area residents used the public-comment period to complain about vegetation clearing along utility rights-of-way conducted on behalf of Newport Utilities. Complainants said contractors repeatedly entered private property without notice, removed longstanding vegetation and damaged water lines and culverts.
Phil Bohm said crews cleared a swath up his mountainside that removed rhododendrons and damaged a Bartlett pear tree on his property; he said Newport Utilities contractors did not inform property owners before entering and that his repeated attempts to get remedial action or a timetable for repairs were unsuccessful. Rick Demmer described a separate incident in which a masticator (a tracked machine with chains) shredded trees and worked beyond the right-of-way onto his property. He said a contractor driving the machine threatened him, and that the contractors left ruts and damaged roadways and culverts.
Council members told the speakers the proper forum for resolving these complaints is the Newport Utilities board of directors, because the utility operates under its own board and the city’s direct remedial options are limited. Officials said they would notify the utility board that residents brought the complaints to the city council.
No formal action or resolution was taken by the board at the meeting regarding the complaints; speakers said some had scheduled appearances before the Newport Utilities board.
Why it matters: residents say recurring right-of-way clearing has damaged private property and infrastructure, and that contractor practices have caused local property and access damage.
