Residents raise utility pole safety concern in Marysville
A delay in the removal of a utility pole sparked safety concerns for residents in the 2100 block of Ramirez Street in Marysville.
Pacific Gas and Electric Co. crews placed a new utility pole March 18 on Ramirez Street, but had to attach the older, weathered pole to it. The method with which the joining was done sparked concern from residents living on the block because the configuration appeared unstable.
“My neighbors and I were very concerned because there are children living in the home behind the pole,” said Carolyn Tindel.
PG&E spokesman Paul Moreno said the joined poles are secure and within industry practices. Moreno said the old pole must be left in place until cable and phone utility companies move their wiring onto the new pole. The last company to move its wiring is responsible for removing the old pole, he said.
“It’s the responsibility of each utility to put on and take off each utility,” he said.
One company now responsible for the old pole is AT&T.
"We plan to put a permanent solution in place soon,” AT&T spokesman Leland Kim said in an email Friday.
The old pole is attached by metal straps, guy wires and a supporting beam, which distribute the pole’s weight evenly, Moreno said. The old pole carries significantly less weight now that the power lines and equipment have been moved to the new pole, he said.
“I noted that the cut pole was leaning toward the house,” Tindel said. “I felt that with the strong winds we were having that the pole could not sustain the weight.”
PG&E crews placed the new pole in the hole previously occupied by the old pole, Moreno said. Power lines are configured in a precise way and it is typical for the new pole to be placed in the existing hole, he said.
Moreno said PG&E notified the phone and cable companies after replacement work was completed.
Tindel said she spoke with PG&E about the pole and had been told it is now the phone and cable companies’ responsibility to remove the old pole. However, when she called AT&T, she said her calls were unanswered.
“I couldn’t believe the lack of response from utility companies,” she said.
Kim said due to call volume, representatives get back to customers based on the severity of their concerns.
“Unfortunately, sometimes we can’t get back to customers in a time frame they’re comfortable with,” Kim said. “But I can see from the photo why the customer might be concerned.”
AT&T plans to move its utilities and possibly the pole early next week, he said.