Utility Contractors "Tearing Up" Neighborhoods?

Fairhope, Alabama

Cable installations continue.

C- Spire bluff plan.

FIBER INTERNET SERVICES

During this month's planning commission meeting, two residents of the Bluff neighborhood objected to any more broadband fiber being buried in right-of-ways along their streets; because their streets and yards are being damaged by the installers. C Spire wants to install its service there; AT&T and Mediacom already have.

Planning director Simmons said he had seen a "ramp up" in such complaints recently because of "a lot of activity" in right-of-ways.

A Bayview Avenue (#104) resident said this would be the third one on his side of the street and previous ones "left it in a big mess. " "There is no more room there" he added and then suggested using the other side of the street instead.

A Powell Street resident (#105) said a previous contractor for AT&T had even damaged his sewer line causing a back-up inside his home and considerable damage. He said he did want the neighborhood "torn up again."

FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS IN PLACE

Chairman Lee Turner said the planning commission had limited authority (11.52.2 reviews) and these were the first complaints he had heard since usually more competition is considered better.

Simmons said each company had a franchise agreement with the city council but there were stipulations and procedures contractors must follow, one being a "flyer" notice put on the door of every residence with contact/complaint numbers before work starts.

He encouraged citizens having problems to contact the city as well if problems arise; the city has two full-time right-of-way inspectors and one utility inspector now.

Simmons said sub-contractors working on weekends are often at fault -- and harder to regulate.

TABLED UNTIL NEXT MEETING

Since there was no one from C Spire present to answer the complaints, the commission tabled the installation request in the Bluff neighborhood only until November; but approved several others in other parts of town (CR 13 area).

Comments

Anonymous said…

Well.....The City of Fairhope needs to hire someone to work weekends.

Monday, October 14, 2024

Competition is good

made a mess out of my yard on east side

immigrant laborers do not speak the English probly.

Two fiber options already create competitive pricing. A third option is not needed.

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

No worse shape than the city sewer department replaced the line in front of my house.

"immigrant laborers do not speak the English probly. " And somebody can't spell "probably".

Utilities usually require a franchise with the town and in this respect the town does have some control.

Largest concern for me it the lack of DOT markers and continuation of other service trucks blocking streets just by parking in the lane,now yes they have work to do,however lawn and landscape,city county and contractors alike can do a bit better.
The largest issue with installations is the return of the area to no/little trace.

Neighbor had water line damaged years ago by line workers, city gave hard time on billing repair. Next time around ready, put up rope fence on right way and photos of work. Non English workers were on their best. City Fairhope oversite worker stopped and told elderly neighbor to be respectfull to workers :). Sorry I missed that. Our home in retirement is our largest investment and city needs to vet subcontractors and protect the taxpayer who Pays the wages.

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Perhaps someone was being rude/difficult with the guys working there on behalf of the City, in which case it was incumbent upon the Superintendent of the job to admonish that person. If someone has an issue with a City project, take it up with the Mayor or City Council; it's just plain tacky to be rude to someone who is simply doing his job.

If you are to imply an elderly female on her property, yes the right of way is her property was rude to one who does not understand English. That would be incorrect. As to contacting the city reps, well good luck w/that.

Thursday, October 17, 2024

This is a non-issue. Homeowners do not own the right of ways. That is reserved for utilities to include fiber optic, etc. It is much better to have fiber optic cable buried than to have it strung from telephone poles. I live in the fruit and nut and have access to both C-Spire and AT&T fiber. The installers did a fantastic job and the entire process was completed in a day or two max. The contractors even go as far as putting down tarps to catch the dirt when they dig a hole. At least we have fiber optic. Some rural communities wait years for this. Can we please move on from the ridiculous topic.

They have the right to lay lines but homeowner retains ownership. Having a water/sewer line damaged is no small matter. If the contractors are honest great but in the case I mentioned it was not so. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/right_of_way#:~:text=Primary%20tabs,known%20as%20a%20floating%20easement.

The Mayor and City Council members are ridiculously easy to contact. Each has an email address in addition to being at the Civic Center in City Council meetings most Monday afternoons.

Friday, October 18, 2024

Get you a tape measure, on most 2 lane residential roads in Fhope 30 feet from centerline is public property and your survey irons will reflect that. Thank you for cutting the grass that belongs to all of us.

The Fairhope Times

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Utility Contractors "Tearing Up" Neighborhoods?

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