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Conservation commission approves Eversource tree trimming, seeks notification map and offers walk‑through
Summary
Eversource asked the commission for permission to conduct routine line‑clearance trimming and hazard‑tree removal along scenic Goffstown Road; the commission approved notification and asked to review the marked trees and consult on any significant trees or stone‑wall impacts.
Marissa Del Corso, regional arborist for Eversource, presented two routine programs seeking town permission for work along the scenic Goffstown Road: a cyclical maintenance trimming program to reestablish clearances around distribution lines, and a hazard‑tree removal program to remove dead, dying or defected trees (primarily dead ash from emerald ash borer).
Del Corso described the trimming clearance as roughly 8 feet to the side, 15 feet above and 10 feet below primary distribution lines, and said Eversource generally leaves established live trees or limbs larger than 4 inches in diameter alone. For hazard removals she said contractors had patrolled the road and tagged about 26 trees with Eversource’s blue‑and‑white checkered tape; the hazard removals require written consent from each affected property owner before felling.
Del Corso described the public notification process: a mailer is sent 45 days before work; property owners may request a consult with the contractor; if no response is received within 45 days Eversource treats that as consent to proceed (if the town grants permission). She also said most marked hazard trees are within view of the road and that removals are typically within 10–25 feet of the roadside.
Commissioners voiced two concerns: the local bat population and whether old or significant trees could be mistakenly removed, and possible damage to historic stone walls. Commissioners proposed having Bear Paw or another local expert walk the road with Eversource if there were concerns about significant trees. Del Corso offered to leave a map and list of marked trees with staff and to meet with commissioners or staff to review specific trees. Alan Stein moved, and Dan Barker seconded, a motion to grant Eversource permission to notify property owners and proceed with the mailings and marking; the motion passed unanimously.
Ending: Eversource left copies of the map and marked‑tree list with the commission’s administrative staff and agreed to meet with commissioners or Bear Paw staff if particular tree removals raise concerns about bats, significant specimen trees or historic stone walls.
