Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Homeowner Options topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
NES outlines how homeowners can hire third‑party arborists and when utility will still act
Summary
NES told the committee residents can hire their own arborist under conditions; NES will attempt contact before removals, requires line‑clearance certification for third parties working close to conductors, and retains authority to trim for safety if needed.
Committee members asked how a homeowner could notify NES if they planned to hire a private arborist. Daniel Johnson said NES attempts to contact homeowners before removals and will send an NES arborist to review the site and advise on safety and certification requirements.
"If it is a removal, we make every attempt to contact the homeowner before we actually remove the tree," Johnson said. He said NES will allow third‑party trimming when the contractor is line‑clearance rated; if not, NES may still trim to restore safe clearance before allowing private crews to proceed.
The committee raised equity concerns — private line‑clearance arborists can be cost‑prohibitive for many residents — and asked NES to include the homeowner option in public materials and the vegetation manual. NES committed to clarify the process and to provide residents guidance on how to check arborist qualifications.
