Well ... yes, I'm sure we could be, and to some of you who read this, well, it may sound slightly pathetic that we're complaining about stuff like this ... but ... it's been topic of conversation in our house, and to be quite honest, causing a tad bit of stress (could be more if I'd let it) right now.Last week, we found out that we will lose a tree and our row of hedges in our yard due to the water main construction on our road. And .... we are quite upset. We understand the concept of 'right of way' and easements, government mumbo jumbo - but it doesn't ease the fact that we will be losing a huge landmark in our yard - and honestly, after talking to others in our neighborhood, a landmark to them as well.
Now, I know we chose to live in a small town - and sometimes you 'pay' for that - and it seems like this time, we are. We are quite frustrated that we had to contact the construction firm ourselves to find out exactly what was going on. If it weren't for the paint marks along our yard, we would have never known what was planned for the frontage of our property. The tree is unfortunate, the lack of communication from the Town to its residents involved is even more so.
Now, I know we chose to live in a small town - and sometimes you 'pay' for that - and it seems like this time, we are. We are quite frustrated that we had to contact the construction firm ourselves to find out exactly what was going on. If it weren't for the paint marks along our yard, we would have never known what was planned for the frontage of our property. The tree is unfortunate, the lack of communication from the Town to its residents involved is even more so.OK - I know - perhaps I need some cheese with my 'whine' :) - but our frustration grew even deeper when we had a talk with a planner from our electric company who informed us that ALL of our trees on the south side of our yard will be taken down to make room for the new power line from the relocation of the power pole (necessary due to the water main construction). Oh man, I felt my pulse in my ears as he proceeded to explain 'why' and 'what' they were going to do.
Our big maple scheduled to come down by electric company
Another big tree slotted to become firewood
As it stands now, our power line to our barn runs directly through the branches of every tree on the south side of our lot. Fine - they are grandfathered in - HOWEVER - when that pole is removed, new line will be run - and the electric company has 'trimming' standards they uphold - basically a 10' circumference around the line. Our trees are not able to withstand pruning, so they will need to come down.
The trees 'in the way'OK - sense our frustration!? Those two little pieces of news, added to the fact that our mailbox will be removed, our water will be set up on a temporary line and we may need to bring in bottled water indefinitely when they switch over to temp services, has been a little to much for me this week. Grrrrrrr.
Our temporary water hose - hmmmm
Our very own speed bump!!! lol :) - it's actually covering the temp water line servicing the entire side of our street - a long haul.
Where they will be digging - from the street to the hose - I see grass seed in our future.
HOWEVER - there is a glimmer of light. After talking with the electric planner, we were told that none of our trees would need to be touched should we decide to discontinue our electrical service to the barn - remove the meter and have the line taken down. No arm twisting needed - we have contacted the electric company to do just that.
We were informed by the construction company, that the engineering firm heading up the water main project has petitioned the Maine DOT to go down the middle the road vs down the middle of the yards of some residents (of which we are included). However, we were also informed that the 'Town' isn't to hip to that alternative because it will increase costs. Also - when you drag other governmental offices into it all - it creates a lot of red tape - and usually doesn't have a positive ending. HOWEVER - we're praying perhaps this time it will.
OK - if you made it this far - I commend you. I know - a lot of whining - but, it's also a load off my back just to talk about it :). Jay has had conversations with the construction company, and will be talking with the engineering manager later today - keep your fingers crossed. AND - read the other two posts below - they are actually kinda fun! :)
YAY!!!! OK - I new when I was posting that none of our trees would be removed for the power line, but we weren't sure at one point, and I wanted you to get a sense of our frustration at the time :)
We were informed by the construction company, that the engineering firm heading up the water main project has petitioned the Maine DOT to go down the middle the road vs down the middle of the yards of some residents (of which we are included). However, we were also informed that the 'Town' isn't to hip to that alternative because it will increase costs. Also - when you drag other governmental offices into it all - it creates a lot of red tape - and usually doesn't have a positive ending. HOWEVER - we're praying perhaps this time it will.
OK - if you made it this far - I commend you. I know - a lot of whining - but, it's also a load off my back just to talk about it :). Jay has had conversations with the construction company, and will be talking with the engineering manager later today - keep your fingers crossed. AND - read the other two posts below - they are actually kinda fun! :)
We'll keep you posted.
**UPDATE**
Jay spoke with the managing engineer this afternoon - they are 'trying' to save it. Not to get our hopes up, but they are aware of the situation. HOORAY (that is a happy hooray).
**UPDATE**
I spoke to someone named Mark. It didn't really sound like they contacted the DOT.
But they still have some leeway to change the plans - if they want to. The reason that they can't go too far into the street was because of clay pipe that is there for old cellar drains. They can't really go ripping those out he said. The original plans have the water main at 25 feet from the centerline. They can't go inside the 15-18 feet from centerline because of the DOT and the clay pipes at approximately 14 feet.
I also found out that they use a mechanical joint system between pipes to turn and pipe joints are sealed with a rubber gasket. He said that those pipes can connect at a curve to bend around stuff, so that there is some leeway to go somewhere between the 25 and the 18 feet range. That would be down the side walk more rather than the grass.
This guy was going to give another guy on-site a call (also named Mark) to see if it was feasible. Maybe that's the guy that was out there with the equipment measuring over and over.
Whew - I think Jay should apply for Town Manager!
**UPDATE**
Another interesting thing - he said that Bangor Hydro was out there to remove the line to our garage and they couldn't do it because they think that it's the only thing holding it up.
LOVELY
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