What you need to know
Township board of directors members said they had heard concerns from residents regarding damage left behind to lawns and ditches by utility companies.
Township Chief Operating Officer Chris Nunes told the board utility companies are scheduled to begin performing some work across the township to replace, maintain and add to utility equipment such as water and electricity. Nunes said the most common misconception is that the township is directly responsible for the utility work, but the work being done throughout the area is all being done within the county's right of way.
Nunes also said utility providers and subcontractors are not currently required to get permits from the county to work within the county’s right of ways, but township staff is working to advocate for residents to the utility companies and the county for repairs to resident property.
"This is actually working in front yards of individuals' homes, and those yards, ... [are] actually part of the county's right of way, which may extend 5 feet, 10 feet [or] 15 feet into that yard," Nunes said. "The utility companies have the ability to put infrastructure into that area, and it's not uncommon."
Why it matters
Nunes said there were a series of incidents in 2021 where utility contractors caused gas and water leaks following infrastructure improvements. Nunes said the township does not have authority over the roadways, and most utility work is being done within the county's right of way.
In their words
- "Everyone has felt the pain that is going on around the community, but just like a lot of other pain, hopefully in the future it will lead to better connectivity, better service, etc.," board member Shelley Sekula-Gibbs said. "The one thing I wanted to bring up and emphasize is that the utility company is responsible for putting it in they are ultimately responsible for leaving it in a restored way."
- "I was a victim of a backhoe that tore up my entire front grass, and I must have waited 30 days and it was never fixed. I had to go buy my own sod and shovel everything back in. So for those that are complaining, I do think it's very frustrating," board member Linda Nelson said.
Nunes said if residents see markers in their yard to contact either the state's 811 service or to reach out directly to the township for additional information through its 311 service.
"Use the township's 311 system, because we have two staff members that are dedicated to providing some liaison services," Nunes said. "If there's yellow flags, we will send a staff member out there trying to find who is working in that area, and establish a relationship with that individual."
