MLGW is installing 3-phase service the Estates of Maple Grove, which is on Memphis Arlington, roughly ½ mile east of Seed Tick Road.
For some time, we have been discussing with MLGW the Tennessee State Law requirement (T.S.A. 13-4-104) that they submit plans before they start “improvements” (not maintenance) such as this.
The last discussion included the promise that MLGW would submit documentation on their position (that the State law on this does not apply to them) and also review the State Law that we (including the City Attorney) feel requires such approval.
We understand that there are interpretations to every law and we are willing to discuss this with MLGW.
Yesterday, without any notice, MLGW started construction, including moving several protected trees in the process. They did stop when we issued a “Stop Work” order.
This morning (Friday, July 13) am MLGW representative called the City staff person who issued the Stop Work order and basically advised him (in essence) that the officials who make such decisions at MLGW didn’t care what Lakeland thought and they were proceeding with the project.
The City staff is reviewing our options on this matter but we hope that MLGW will keep their promise to review the Tennessee State Statute involved and submit the information that they feel exempts them from the statutes before taking any further action.
I fully expect that the City of Lakeland will take whatever action is necessary to insure that MLGW complies with Tennessee State Law and City Ordinances.
I will post to this Blog as necessary to update on this matter.
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1 comment:
Can you save my last tree? It is a white oak, protected? Utility companies only do the work required to supply service to the developments approved by cities. Lakeland, TN - the City of Trees. Lakeland will soon be the treeless city if this continues. From the interstate to here, this has been the norm, clear-cutting trees. I read that if they were were clear-cutting, no way would they have stopped the work. What the heck does that mean? 5 trees? These trees are on the utility easement, not on my property. Not something I wanted to ok. They came to me several times, saying and I knew it, that the trees were their's to cut down to the ground, not resonsible for stumps or anything, they were to be cut!! They really only wanted a document signed with what I would like to replace the trees. I asked them what could you give me comparable to 5 100 to 200 year old white oak trees? They kept coming back after I told them no!!! They finally said they would plant 7 Japanese maple trees. I know what it means when trees are on a utility easement. Why don't you, the City of Lakeland, (City of Trees)??????? You approved the development, why are you keeping the results of your developments, stopping, holding up progress? Yeah, sure you call these trees protected, they are in the way of developments, they are mostly gone, you in no way are really interested in saving the last one, which is possible at this point, but that is not the true reason for this, EGOS, that is it!! THE PROOF WILL BE WHEN THE LAST TREE IS CUT!! IF IT IS NOT YOU GUY'S EGOS THEN THAT TREE WILL NOT FALL.
Mary Russell - 10059 Memphis-Arlington Road - Thanks for the outlet to rant, sorry if it offends
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