Neighbors Upset Over NStar Work in Buffer Zone [VIDEO]

A group of residents expressed anger and frustration over work done on a stretch of conservation land on Muller Road during citizen's time at the June 13 Board of Selectmen meeting.

Muller Road resident Howie Strachan told the board that the utility company NStar had recently cleared an easement on Muller road that is also behind the Market Basket on Middlesex Turnpike. Strachan said the company had marked trees to be taken down, and that he understood the need for NStar to keep the power lines cleared, but said the work performed went far beyond what was necessary.

Strachan explained that the along with removing trees, the company also cleared all the bushes and underbrush, leaving a pile of debris. He added that in his view the extent of the work was unnecessary.

"They could have done trimming without clearing, they had accessibility," he said. "They marked trees and we thought they were coming down. We had no idea they were coming in with a machine that just drummed everything down."

Another resident said the area looked like it "had been burned" and that it was "not only unsightly but dangerous."

Selectmen Ralph Patuto said the board has had similar difficulties with NStar in the past. He said the difficulty is that Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) utility companies have wide range on what they can do in easements and buffer zones under utility wires.

"This is an easement on their right of way and they can do anything they want," he said. "They can cut and spray. We don’t like it."

The buffer zone on Muller Road is a designated conservation area. There was some question as to whether or not that would afford it some protection. Conservation Administrator Dave Keeley confirmed that the FERC rules weighed in favor of the utility company and that the area is NStar's "right of way." However, he added, just because they can doesn't mean they should.

"This was an inappropriate place to do this," he said.

Board Chair Walter Zenkin said the practice of over-clearing easements needs to be addressed, even if the board is limited in what it can do to stop it.

"This shows no respect to nature," he said. "Whether or not they have the right, I agree, we have to continue. This is unacceptable and we have to do everything in our power. They are our neighbor and they should have acted appropriately."

The board voted unanimously to contact town counsel for advice and to attempt to get NStar representatives to discuss the issue at the June 27 meeting, though they did acknowledge that it was short notice and may have to wait until a future date to get all parties together.