Edgartown selectmen backed off an idea to send a letter of concern to Eversource after the conservation agent shared information about plans to use herbicides under power lines.
Herbicide spraying on West Chop and near the Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road could begin as early as Friday, after the state pesticide board voted last week not to consider a one-year moratorium on spraying in the region.
The Martha’s Vineyard Commission, state representatives, town officials and others are all calling on the utility giant to find alternatives to herbicide spraying under power lines this year.
For the first time in four years, Eversource Energy plans to apply herbicides under some of its power lines on the Vineyard. A public comment period ends March 27.
The Martha’s Vineyard Commission Thursday approved the new NStar poles that have already been installed along Island roads, but attached several conditions for future projects.
Discussion about the controversial new NStar poles continued this week before the Tisbury selectmen.
Representatives from the power company appeared before the selectmen Tuesday evening for a public hearing on six poles on Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road. Although the poles have already been installed, the selectmen used the hearing as a forum for airing concerns about the noticeably larger and taller additions to the roadside.
Spokesmen for the power company NStar told the Martha’s Vineyard Commission Thursday that they believe the commission has no jurisdiction over a project to install new, oversized utility poles around the Island. The poles have raised the hackles of Islanders and public officials who say they are ruinous to roadside aesthetics and out of character for the Vineyard.
The Martha’s Vineyard Commission will review new utility poles placed around the Island as a development of regional impact (DRI).
The regional authority voted 13-1 last Thursday that the project merited review by the commission, DRI director Paul Foley said. Edgartown commissioner James Joyce was the no vote.
The land use planning committee of the Martha’s Vineyard Commission recommended Monday that new NStar utility poles should be referred to the commission as a development of regional impact (DRI).
With a majority of the commission members attending the meeting, the group voted 11-0 that the installation of about 180 larger utility poles on pubic roadways.
Edgartown selectmen had sharp words for representatives from NStar Monday about the installation of taller utility poles on the Island.
The new utility poles, which are being installed on Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road and Edgartown-West Tisbury Road, average about 10 feet taller than the previous poles. An NStar representative told the Gazette that about 260 new poles are being installed, 180 on public roadways. Most of the poles are replacing existing poles, though some are new.
