By Lucas Willard
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-1002157.mp3
Pittsfield, MA – The Western Massachusetts Electric Company, a company owned by Northeast Utilities, worried some Pittsfield residents after a hired survey company instructed homeowners to remove structures along their property. WMECO runs electricity transmission lines on 481 miles of land throughout Western Massachusetts on property it either owns, or holds easements for a "right of way".
The situation began after the utility received a complaint from an abutting property owner that others had extended their lawns, built fences, sheds, or swimming pools onto the land owned by WMECO. The company began a property survey that included internal employees, as well as two companies independently contracted. Pittsfield Ward 4 City Councilor Chris Connell explains
Connell took action and discussed with the utility on how to remedy the situation. He spoke out against initial calls from WMECO to require encroaching property holders to carry the utility on their homeowner's insurance and pay rent.
Northeast Utilities spokesman Frank Poirot
At last week's city council meeting, Connell was granted authority to request that WMECO address all issues to the general public, including laying out the new breached boundaries policy. A final statement is due at the Pittsfield City Council meeting on February 14th. Connell again...
Spokesman Poirot said that the Utility will now allow abutting property owners to keep their structures in place, as long as they do not interfere with the transmission lines. Western Massachusetts Electric Company maintains the right of way to the property.
Poirot said that this case in Pittsfield and similar problems should not be found along the rest of the 481 miles of land used by transmissions lines in Western Mass because in all other cases, land already holds easements and is in sparsely populated areas.