EVERSOURCE ASSERTS RIGHT TO TRIM YOUR TREES IF YOU DO NOT RESPOND
EversourceTreeTrimmingBrochureDec2016Â for a brochure recently sent to certain Rye residents over the Holidays. Â (add link to above).
Perhaps Eversource was hoping that many of us would miss this statement on the third page, during this busy period:
“If you do not respond within 45 days you are presumed to have consented.”
You are not required to consent to tree trimming.  In the past, residents have been approached by Eversource agents who have implied otherwise and pressured residents to permit pruning or removal of their trees.  Furthermore, all roads in Rye have been designated scenic roads and require Planning Board approval before tree trimming may occur in the right-of-way.  See RSA 231:158, II (Click here add link to http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/XX/231/231-158.htm) See also the minutes of the August 9, 2016 Planning Board meeting (pages 2-5) (Click here, add link to http://www.town.rye.nh.us/pages/RyeNH_PlanningMin/2016%20PB%20Minutes/PB_Minutes_8-09-16.pdf) and PUC regulation 307.10 on tree trimming standards (Click here:  http://www.puc.state.nh.us/Regulatory/Rules/Puc300.PDF).  See also RSA 231:172, II(b) (Click here — add link to http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/XX/231/231-172.htm) (owner deemed to have consented if does not respond within 45 days).
We suggest that you may want to return the form with the box checked requesting a personal consultation to preserve your rights. Â If you did not receive or no longer have your brochure, simply print out the third page, fill out the form, and mail it to the address on the fourth page.
