Yorktown and Cortlandt region

I am writing out of sincere concern for our community. Con Edison has returned to once again clear cut more non-threatening trees and other vegetation on its electric transmission line right of way (ROW) in Yorktown. Supervisor Siegel continues to show a lack of understanding for the key issues related to the ROW management problems in Yorktown and across Westchester County. Mrs. Siegel’s stated approach is that “you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.” That approach is much too superficial and misses the point. The problems that we are faced with are much too extensive, complex, and deep-rooted for a superficial “Public Relations” approach.

Part of the problem lies with the State Public Service Commission (PSC) who in 2005 issued a directive to clear cut more than 190,000 acres of transmission line state-wide. As Mrs. Siegel is aware, this directive is based on grossly flawed paperwork. Several individuals at the PSC were involved with the SEQRA process for this directive. A Short Environmental Assessment Form (EAF) was incorrectly used. A Short EAF is only applicable to projects of 10 acres or less—-not 190,000. Furthermore, these individuals falsely declared that there would be no adverse environmental impacts. As many Yorktown residents know, Con Edison has caused adverse environmental impacts in our community since it began clear cutting the borders of the ROW 6 years ago. It is time to reopen the case on this directive so that a full public review can take place. No public official should turn their back on such wrong doing.

It should also be emphasized that transmission line issues differ from distribution line issues. Distribution lines are the lines on the street where the outages are occurring. Outages are not occurring on the transmission line.

Since 2007, the Utilities Oversight Committee (UOC) has conducted an extensive review of Con Edison’s transmission line vegetation management practices and other operations issues. The UOC is the most knowledgeable entity that the Town of Yorktown has when it comes to understanding these utility related matters. However, through 3 administrations, the Town Supervisors failed to utilize the UOC for the valuable resource that it is. Rather than tackling the serious problems caused by the adverse impacts that Con Edison has caused in the community, Yorktown’s Supervisors have chosen the easy and superficial way out.

The current Town Supervisor continues to act like a rubber stamp for all that Con Edison says and does. For 5 years town officials have shrugged their shoulders in response to Con Edison’s clear cutting of trees. Town officials have turned their backs on Con Edison’s substandard work practices, environmental damage, failed mitigation projects, and adverse impacts upon the lives of Yorktown residents.

For example, look at the large wetland on Granite Springs Road that Con Edison clear cut in 2007-2008, and look at the subsequent failed mitigation work. Did you know that Con Edison’s replanting plan at that location consisted of 170 bushes of a species that has no future in the state of New York? It is only a matter of time before all these bushes succumb to a beetle that destroys that specific type of bush. The UOC brought this concern to the attention of town officials, but was ignored.

Over the last few months, from Yonkers to Yorktown public officials have condemned Con Edison’s transmission line clear cutting practices. Westchester County, Yonkers, and Greenburgh have all passed by unanimous votes their own moratorium request resolutions. One has to question what is wrong with Yorktown and why was the vote not unanimous here?

There are some Yorktown officials who care more than others about addressing these issues. In a recent conference call with the Governor’s office, we came to learn that the PSC had incorrectly been advised that all was well in Yorktown regarding Con Edison transmission line work. Out of deep concern for wanting to stop further unnecessary damage to our community, I would like to share my March 15 communication to Supervisor Susan Siegel:

It has come to my attention that someone has incorrectly led the Public Service Commission (PSC) into believing that all is well between the Town of Yorktown and Con Edison electric transmission line right of way activities in this town. I request that in all future personal meetings and communications that you have with Con Edison and/or the PSC (or related) that you provide a disclaimer to those entities indicating that your opinions are your own, and yours only, and that you do not represent the majority opinion of the Yorktown Town Board, the opinion of the Utilities Oversight Committee, or the opinion of many residents in the Town of Yorktown.

Judging from the evidence of Con Edison’s environmental violations in the Town of Yorktown, and what has now grown into vegetation management activities on the Con Edison transmission line right of way in Yorktown that include clear cutting—-things are far from well with Con Edison in the Town of Yorktown. Last month you stated that Con Edison was essentially finished with its vegetation management work on the transmission line in Yorktown, and as we now see that is far from the actual reality of the situation.

I have grown gravely concerned about your lack of sensitivity toward your constituents as well as your inability to listen to the people of this town. That coupled with your lack of knowledge regarding these issues are a bad combination. I have asked before and I will ask again, please step aside from these Con Edison transmission line right of way issues and allow senior, experienced members of the Yorktown Town Board to assume those duties. Because of your inadequacy in the way that you are handling these matters, you are actually doing harm to this community. You may not see that, or understand that, but that is the way that it is.

As you have stated in the past, these matters are a low priority for you. That has become very evident in the way you are handling these matters. Please step aside so that those in this community who are well versed in these matters can work together for the well being of the residents of the Town of Yorktown.

In the United States we live in a democracy. In a democracy, all citizens have a right to be heard, and our elected officials should reflect the voice of the people. How can one possibly be a voice of the people when one does not even take the time to listen to the people.

This is not a matter of extending an olive branch to Con Edison and allowing them to continue business as usual according to their rules. It is matter of identifying the complex issues that are causing the problems and working toward appropriate solutions. It also means re-opening the case on the seriously flawed PSC directive to clear cut transmission lines. Most importantly, these problems must be opened to public review. That is the purpose of the moratorium request resolution. Mrs. Siegel opposes the moratorium request.

Mrs. Siegel is supposed to be the town board liaison to the UOC. During the past 3 months she has failed to meet with the UOC. However, she has had multiple meetings with Con Edison officials and in turn has been pleading the utility’s case for them. It is time for Mrs. Siegel to step aside and allow for a fair and just resolution to the transmission line problems to be sought for the Yorktown community.

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