Temporary Electric Cable to be Removed From One Forks Neighborhood

A group of Forks Township residents who have had an above ground electrical wire running through their neighborhood for three weeks, have been reassured by MetEd that the line will be removed by the end of next week.

Township Public Works Director Mark Roberts said the township has been assured that the 7,600 volts of temporary, above ground, live, electrical cable lines would be removed from the streets of one stretch of Frost Hollow Road and Scenic View Drive by Oct. 27.

Residents Joan Koch and Wendy Nicolosi told the township Board of Supervisors Thursday that they are concerned over the safety of the live cable. The lines run over the front lawn of Nicolosis Scenic View Drive property.

“I find it very frustrating,” she said. “We had our state representatives involved.”

The cable was placed on the properties after several homes in the area lost power numerous times starting in August after Hurricane Irene. After numerous attempts by Met Ed to repair the line, the above ground line was temporarily placed in order to permanently fix the issue. But Koch said, the temporary repair is unacceptable.

“This is a band-aid approach they’re doing,” she said. “We have lost power about several times in the past few months. Some of our neighbors are senior citizens and people who are on oxygen.”

The residents also said the cable was not properly placed and that could pose a safety hazard for those driving over them.

“This is a dangerous, unsafe and unethical practice by MetEd,” said Nicolosi.

Roberts said the township has gone out and made sure the lines were secured on the street.

“We’re paying for a service and we don’t feel that we’re getting it.,” said Nicolosi.

Nicolosi said her husband actually moved the line along her front lawn in order to cut the grass.

Also, some 45 residents have signed a petition seeking replacement of the underground aluminum electric system

Koch said the neighborhood has lost power five times in the past six weeks. She said she was told the cables generally last around 25 years. But the lines in her neighborhood are at least 41 years since the homes were constructed in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Roberts said MetEd has also informed the township that two transformer boxes will also be replaced during the repairs.

Township Supervisor Lilly Gioia, who also lives in the neighborhood, said she would be in favor sending a letter to First Energy, the parent company of MetEd, notifiying them of the matter.