RSS Feed
 |
|
||||||
Oyster Bay wins LIPA funding for wire-friendly trees
"Its due to the support of public officials like Supervisor John Venditto and municipalities like the Town of Oyster Bay that LIPA has been successful in providing a safe and reliable electric service to our customers," said Richard Kessel, CEO of LIPA, as he presented the check to Venditto in front of Town Hall South in Massapequa. ToBAY was the first municipality about nine years ago to get on board with the "wire-friendly tree" program and has already planted about 2,000 of the smaller trees throughout the Town. They are also the recipient of the most rebates from LIPA for the program. LIPA, who calls the forestry program proactive, has begun replacing street trees with smaller, mostly flowering trees such as kousa dogwood and crab apple which don't engulf electrical wires when they grow up. "By planting these trees near electrical wires it keeps from having to "V" out the center of the trees and having wires go down during storms," said Larry Ferrandiz, senior forester/horticulturist, electrical system operations department of LIPA. Additionally, the blossoming trees will keep the area aesthetically pleasing in the tree-lined Town that has been named a Tree City USA for the past 19 years. "This is a win-win situation for both LIPA and the Town of Oyster Bay because they are helping us keep the municipality shaded and attractive while reducing the chance of a tree coming in contact with electrical wires," said Venditto. LIPA has presented $320,440 to municipalities or civic associations all over Long Island since the inception of the program. The new trees will be phased in over time when the older, taller trees deteriorate or must be removed. "I am proud that the Town of Oyster Bay holds the distinction of being the first municipality on Long Island to sign up for LIPA's wire-friendly tree program," said Venditto. "One of the Town's major assets is our trees. My Town colleagues and I have a strong commitment to protecting and enhancing the Town's tree resources and this program has helped us keep that commitment."
In other news, LIPA just announced that they are the first electric utility in New York State to be named a "Tree Line USA Utility" by the National Arbor Day Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters. The award recognized three requirements met by LIPA: a program of quality tree care, annual worker training and public education. Shown in photo, LIPA and Town officials after LIPA gives Oyster Bay funding for wire-friendly trees.
|
for larger version       Ads have a Patent Pending. Click Here for More Information |
|||||
)
