I am requesting that the Greenburgh Town Board meet tomorrow (Tuesday) at 3:30 PM at Town Hall to discuss Con Ed's tree clearing/tree cutting program. We will invite representatives of Con Ed and the NYS Public Service Commission to participate in this meeting. Can Con Ed overrule local regulations concerning trees? Do local governments have any oversight abilities? This will be discussed.
Yesterday over 50 residents ( Senator Andrea Stewart Cousins, Yonkers City Council President Chuck Lesnick, Legislator Tom Abinanti, Hastings Trustees Diggitt McLaughlin and Danielle Goodman) attended a meeting in Hastings to discuss the tree cutting and clearing that is taking place throughout the region. Con Ed should continue to cut trees that are in danger of falling on power lines-- to prevent power outages. However, trees that are not in danger of impacting power lines should not be cut. Many of us are asking Con Ed to provide local governments with the ability to hire an independent arborist of our choice (paid for by Con Ed). This arborist will work with Con Ed and local governments to make sure that only trees that should be cut are.
Earlier this year Con Ed cut many trees on Ridge Road in Hartsdale --the tree clearing has changed the character of the community. Many people expressed concern that some of the trees that were cut did not impact the power lines.
Tree cutting can also have an effect on flooding in our area and erosion.
At the conclusion of the meeting the Town Board may discuss action steps the town may wish to take.
Work sessions of the Town Board are open to the public.
PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor
