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CL&P To Upgrade Local Electrical System

MONROE -- Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P) has budgeted $500,000 to upgrade

the electrical distribution system and to improve service reliability in parts

of Newtown and Monroe.

The project, which will begin this month, is scheduled to continue through

December. CL&P crews will install new poles and wire, upgrade equipment, and

add devices designed to isolate outages to smaller areas.

CL&P crews will rewire Route 111 with new tree wire from Barn Hill Road to

East Village Road. Tree wire helps to reduce the number of outages caused by

brush contact with branches and squirrels. Pole top equipment such as

crossarms, insulators, lightning arresters and transformers will be upgraded

along Routes 34 and 11 and Barn Hill road as part of this project.

Trees are currently being trimmed to maintain the recommended clearance zone

of eight feet alongside electric lines, ten feet beneath the lowest power line

and the removal of overhead branches including structurally weak branches

hanging over power lines which can become weighted down with snow or ice and

cause an electric outage.

"This program is designed to remove hazardous trees and limbs that have become

weakened by old age, disease or insects," said Alan Carey, CL&P regional

arborist. In addition to improving reliability, adequate clearance is of great

importance for the safety of CL&P linemen who must work to restore power at

night and during inclement weather.

"The combined benefits of line reconstruction and tree trimming will

significantly improve reliability to our customers in Newtown and Monroe,"

said Bill Stax, general manager for the Danbury/New Milford district.

Bartlett Tree crews are working in Newtown and Monroe under the direction of

Mr Carey, Newtown Tree Warden Mike McCarthy, and Monroe Tree Warden Dave

Sullie.

Prior to performing any tree work, representatives from Bartlett Tree

identified trees that were dead, diseased, structurally weak, or capable of

causing electrical interruptions. Residents were informed of the intended work

in person or through the use of permission cards. Residents having a question

about the tree trimming work can contact Alan Carey directly at 800/286-5000,

Newtown extension 5865.