HARTFORD — The leader of a coalition of Connecticut cities and towns says municipal officials are facing an "environmental crisis" of diseased trees, warning the first significant snowfall this year could bring down hundreds across the state, as well as thousands of tree limbs.
Connecticut Conference of Municipalities Executive Director Joe DeLong sent a letter Thursday to Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont, seeking additional resources and help dealing with the fallout of trees infested and subsequently weakened by emerald ash boarer beetles and gypsy moth caterpillars.
On Saturday, utility crews were still restoring power to communities impacted by a strong Halloween night storm that left behind numerous downed wires. In Marlborough, local officials say many of the limbs fell on power lines because the trees were too brittle to withstand the high winds.