Wethersfield hasn’t had a tornado recently, but some residents say it sure looks like it has. They’re upset about some aggressive Connecticut Light & Power tree trimming in town, especially around the historic town green.
CL&P’s manager of vegetative management responded to criticism at Monday night’s town council meeting. Dave Goodson says the company’s mission is “we want your lights to stay on.” Company standards specify power lines should have 8 feet side clearance, 10 feet clearance below wires and 15 feet clearance over wires.
But neighbors say protecting the power lines should not come at the expense of the character of the area, defined to some degree they say by its tree-lined streets and sidewalks. Some trees along the Wethersfield green now appear almost cut in half but still standing.
CL&P has now suggested cutting down altogether five or six trees in the green and replacing them with what Goodson calls “the right species in the right place,” away from power lines. It’s an idea that already has some residents even more worried about further changing the atmosphere in the town.
“When they talk about putting in pip-squeak saplings, that’s not gonna cut it,” said resident Linda Case.