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Clinton resident objects to utility trenching near 50-year-old tree, says homeowners were not notified
Summary
Carl Nord told the council that workers from a TCC construction crew were digging near a 50-year-old tree by his home on North Third Street without clear homeowner notification; he said the contractor claimed right-of-way authority and that the city measured and marked the right-of-way.
At the Aug. 26 meeting Carl Nord of 803 N. 3rd St. told the council he found a worker digging a trench near a 50-year-old tree and hedge on his property. Nord said he stopped the worker and asked questions and that the crew’s supervisor told him the company had the right to dig to the alley. Nord said many crew members did not speak English and that he had to get the supervisor and the city’s construction inspector, Jason Kraft, to measure and mark the right-of-way with pink paint.
Nord said the measured right-of-way mark was 13 feet 10 inches from his house and that he was concerned the work would kill his tree and damage hedges that predated his purchase of the home. He said he had not received adequate advance notice about the work and suggested that property owners should be notified when contractors will trench or trenching is planned in yards adjacent to their homes.
Council members and staff said they would look into notification procedures and that the right-of-way measurements had been made on site. Nord said he had had his land surveyed about 21 years earlier and that he wants clearer advance notice to avoid property damage.
The council did not take formal action on-site; staff were asked to follow up with the property owner and the contractor to confirm scope of work and property protections.
