SKANEATELES - After a snow storm hit Buffalo in October and left thousands in the dark for days, the village of Skaneateles wants to avoid similar problems by trimming branches and removing trees that are potential hazards.
Trees along Lakeview Circle are overdue for a large-scale pruning, said John Hunt, director of municipal operations.
Because the process will mean turning off power in the area for eight hours, he aims to pick a sunny day with temperatures above freezing. Hunt hopes to have the trees trimmed in December but realizes the holidays may cause delays.
“Everyone wants to get this done before the weather turns bad, but we'll see if that happens,” Hunt said.
The village of Skaneateles Board of Trustees approved hiring Bartlett Tree Experts to attack the foliage hanging above and near the power distribution wires along the circle. Hunt estimated the services will affect between 20 and 30 homes. At their meeting Monday, trustees authorized paying $11,050 to the East Syracuse company.
The neighborhood was last trimmed more than seven years ago, Hunt said. He suggested the company cut the branches so they will last seven years before they need another manicure.
Trustee Sue Jones cautioned against repeating past years when the trees looked like they were “scalped.”
Village employees will perform all clean-up and disposal tasks to keep the expenses down, Hunt said.
He proposed the company mark differently the trees that would be subject to either cutting or removal so residents could see potential changes to the area. Residents likely will be open minded after they learn it's a safety issue, Jones said.
Mayor Robert Green said he would like to review the trees marked for the trimming before workers begin.
In other news:
€ The Historic Landmarks Preservation Commission has an opening for a member due to a resignation. The village plans to advertise the position.
€ The village trustees voted to join the Independent Energy Efficient Agency and implement energy saving programs as part of an agreement with the Municipalities Utilities Electric Association, which contracted to provide hydropower to its member municipalities through New York Municipal Power Agency.
However, the board rejected the electric association's suggestion that municipalities raise prices by a tenth of a cent per kilowatt-hour.
The money raised would go to an account the towns and villages could then use to fund programs that would encourage energy efficiency.
Hunt said his interpretation is that the village just has to document its “good faith effort” to remain with IEEP.
The village already has plans to install automatic meter readers, and aims to fund the venture by a grant.
Most trustees voiced criticism of the suggestion and said the village could still encourage energy-efficient methods without charging additional money.
“I don't want to raise rates,” Trustee Mark Roney said. “Why would we contribute money just to pull it out again?”
Staff writer Jessica Soule can be
contacted at 253-5311, ext 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net
Because the process will mean turning off power in the area for eight hours, he aims to pick a sunny day with temperatures above freezing. Hunt hopes to have the trees trimmed in December but realizes the holidays may cause delays.
“Everyone wants to get this done before the weather turns bad, but we'll see if that happens,” Hunt said.
The village of Skaneateles Board of Trustees approved hiring Bartlett Tree Experts to attack the foliage hanging above and near the power distribution wires along the circle. Hunt estimated the services will affect between 20 and 30 homes. At their meeting Monday, trustees authorized paying $11,050 to the East Syracuse company.
The neighborhood was last trimmed more than seven years ago, Hunt said. He suggested the company cut the branches so they will last seven years before they need another manicure.
Trustee Sue Jones cautioned against repeating past years when the trees looked like they were “scalped.”
Village employees will perform all clean-up and disposal tasks to keep the expenses down, Hunt said.
He proposed the company mark differently the trees that would be subject to either cutting or removal so residents could see potential changes to the area. Residents likely will be open minded after they learn it's a safety issue, Jones said.
Mayor Robert Green said he would like to review the trees marked for the trimming before workers begin.
In other news:
€ The Historic Landmarks Preservation Commission has an opening for a member due to a resignation. The village plans to advertise the position.
€ The village trustees voted to join the Independent Energy Efficient Agency and implement energy saving programs as part of an agreement with the Municipalities Utilities Electric Association, which contracted to provide hydropower to its member municipalities through New York Municipal Power Agency.
However, the board rejected the electric association's suggestion that municipalities raise prices by a tenth of a cent per kilowatt-hour.
The money raised would go to an account the towns and villages could then use to fund programs that would encourage energy efficiency.
Hunt said his interpretation is that the village just has to document its “good faith effort” to remain with IEEP.
The village already has plans to install automatic meter readers, and aims to fund the venture by a grant.
Most trustees voiced criticism of the suggestion and said the village could still encourage energy-efficient methods without charging additional money.
“I don't want to raise rates,” Trustee Mark Roney said. “Why would we contribute money just to pull it out again?”
Staff writer Jessica Soule can be
contacted at 253-5311, ext 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net
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