Time to
Trim:
April 2011 Massachusetts
30384-I-0243
What You
Should Know
T
rees near power lines are the single greatest cause of electrical outages. Because of
this, every year we hire specialized tree trimming crews and assign them the task of cutting
back limbs and branches that are too close to
utility wires. Tree trimming is done according
to a specific plan: we trim our transmission
areas on a five-year cycle, meaning that onefifth of the transmission system is trimmed on
an annual basis. We trim our distribution areas
using a five to ten-year cycle depending on the
voltage class of the wires, as well as the construction type.
We hire specialized tree trimming crews,
who know the species of trees, how fast they
grow, and how best to trim them. These tree
experts also identify for removal whole trees
that are a danger to the electrical system.
Proper trimming and pruning methods
can be used to accomplish the majority of the
necessary clearing around our electrical
wires, helping us maintain the desired distances (see box). Sometimes, it may be recommended that certain trees be removed if
they are a potential hazard. If a tree warrants
removal, we will have a personal consultation
with you. We will leave a door hanger informing you of the tree in question. We ask that
you sign the card and leave it for the tree
crew to pick up, or contact us (information
is provided on the card), so that we can consult with you.
You can assist us in our efforts to help
prevent outages by allowing tree crews to
trim or remove selected trees adjacent to
your property. When tree crews appear on
your street, please remember why we trim
— to ensure continuous service to customers
and to ensure that the backbone of our electrical system is in service.
Tree Trimming Guidelines
We know you are eager to start on those
home improvement projects, but if your project involves digging, there is one thing you
should know. Whether you are building a
deck, planting a tree, or installing a mailbox,
you need to call Dig Safe® at 811, or 1-888DIG-SAFE (344-7233) at least three working
days before any digging begins. Dig Safe notifies the appropriate utilities before digging
takes place so they can make you aware of
any buried lines.
State laws require anyone who digs to
notify utility companies before digging and
with good reason. Digging can be dangerous
and costly if you don’t know where underground utilities such as wires, conduits and
pipes are located.
The Dig Safe System is a communications network that assists excavators, contractors and property owners in complying with
state laws by notifying the appropriate
utilities before you start digging. When
you call Dig Safe, the communication network springs into action, alerting all pertinent utilities. These utilities then come to
the work area and mark the location of any
underground systems with color-coded
flags or markings. Different types of utilities are marked by different colors.
Anyone planning a digging project
must notify Dig Safe three days before the
project is scheduled to begin. Every digging project requires a call — even small
home improvement projects such as planting trees or shrubs. If you hit an underground utility while digging you can harm
(Dig Safe, cont. on page 2)
In order to improve customer communications, we are asking you to send us your
contact information, including your home
phone, cell phone, and e-mail address. In the
months to come, we will be providing some
important information by e-mail. Contact
us at http://www.unitil.com/manage-myaccount/contact-customer-service with your
e-mail address so we keep connected.
Know What’s Below: Call Dig Safe®
Side Clearing: We strive to trim vegetation
to acquire approximately 10 feet of clearance back from any electrical wire. This
trimming is conducted pole to pole.
Above Clearing: Typically, we trim 15’
above the wires on top of the poles. New
construction, such as pole replacements,
may add an additional 5’ of clearance for
taller poles.
Below Clearing: Ground cut or 4’ below
and around the lowest communications
attachment, including removing any standing deadwood or hazardous tree conditions.
For more information on our
tree trimming activities, visit
www.unitl.com/treetrimming.
Keep Connected
Follow us on Twitter for storm
updates, power restoration
progress and more.
MA Gas & Electric - Page 2
Dig Safe, cont. from page 1)
yourself or those around you, disrupt service
to an entire neighborhood, and potentially
be responsible for fines and repair costs. If
you are hiring contractors to do digging, be
sure they have called Dig Safe as well.
Remember, you are required to call
Dig Safe whether you are digging on
private or public property. Dig smart,
dig safe — call Dig Safe before each and
every digging job. Whether you are a
homeowner or a professional excavator,
one call to Dig Safe gets your underground utilities marked for FREE, so
remember to make that call. For information, visit www.unitil.com/digsafe.
The American Red Cross provides
critical services to our communities
because of the hard work and dedication
of volunteers. April 18-24 is National
Volunteer Week — a time to thank the
many people who volunteer for the
American Red Cross and other humanitarian organizations. Every day, the Red Cross
responds to emergencies – down the
street, across this nation, and around the
globe – thanks to volunteers.
It may be the volunteers helping hundreds of people seeking shelter in a major
disaster; or a volunteer instructor teaching
first aid, CPR, swimming, or other health
and safety skills;
maybe it is a
volunteer in the
Service to Armed
Forces helping a mother send an
urgent message to her son overseas;
or the many volunteers at blood
drives who help us maintain adequate supplies of lifesaving blood.
Red Cross volunteers are people
from all walks of life, different ages,
and skills, but each has something
special to offer. Find out more about
becoming a Red Cross volunteer by
going to www.redcross.org.
April Is Volunteer Month
Unitil Establishes Scholarships
Unitil is proud to announce it will
award $25,000 in scholarships annually to
students who demonstrate outstanding
potential for careers in engineering, math
or science. The scholarships are part of the
new Unitil Scholarship Fund, and will be
given to five high school seniors from
within the company’s service territories
in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts who are pursuing degrees in
these areas. Each recipient will receive
$5,000 toward their first year of undergraduate study.
“The level of skill and expertise necessary for engineering, math and science
fields is in high demand in today’s workforce,” said Kevin Sprague, Unitil’s director
of engineering. “Many Unitil employees
are local residents hired for their superior
talent in those areas. Through the
Scholarship Fund, we hope to continue to
foster such expertise in our communities.”
Unitil Scholarship Fund application
packets for the 2011-2012 academic year
are available in the guidance department
offices of select high schools throughout
Unitil’s service territories, or on our
website. The deadline for submitting
completed applications is on or before
April 15, 2011; recipients will be notified
of their selection by mail no later than
May 30th.
Applications will be reviewed by
the Unitil Scholarship Committee and
recipients selected based on academic
merit, extra-curricular activities, need
and additional support received, among
other criteria. One alternate will be chosen for each award in the event that the
scholarship is declined or the winner
becomes ineligible.
Upon receipt of registration in a
degree program with a declared major
or concentration in engineering, math
or science, Unitil will issue a $2,500
check directly to the college or university on the student’s behalf. The balance
will be paid prior to the start of the
spring semester.
For more information about the
Until Scholarship Fund, please visit
www.unitil.com/scholarship.
(888) 301-7700
www.unitil.com
energy for life.
Automatic Bill Pay
It’s the easy way to pay! UniPay allows
your payment to be automatically deducted
from your checking account 25 days after the
bill date noted on your bill. It’s a convenient
way to pay every month — no stamps, no trips
to the post office, no writing of checks.
Visit us at www.unitil.com/manage-myaccount/ways-pay, or call Customer Service
today to learn more.
Plan Before You Plant
Before you plant that tree or shrub, consider its location. A small sapling can grow to be 40
feet tall and 40 feet wide. Bear in mind, too, that
trees not only have branches growing up and
out but also roots reaching down and out. Roots
can interfere with underground power lines, gas
lines, and other utility systems.
Follow these tips to plant safely:
• Think about what is above and below.
• Plant your tree in the right space for its “adult”
size. Ask your local nursery for advice.
• Plant any tree at least 50 feet away from power
lines. If the tree’s mature height will be 100
feet, plant it 100 feet away from power lines.
• If you must plant a tree or shrub near power
lines, select one that will not grow more than
25 feet tall, and whose branches will not reach
within 10 feet of power lines at full growth.
• Before you dig to plant any trees, call Dig Safe
to make sure there are no underground
utilities. It’s a free call and it’s the law.
Fuel Assistance Deadline
Applications for the Low-Income Home
Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) are
being accepted through April 30th. LIHEAP
provides money to help low-income homeowners and renters pay heating costs. In
addition, customers approved for the program also receive a discounted rate for their
gas and/or electric service. Please contact
New England Farm Workers' Council at
978-342-4520 for additional information
or to apply for the program.