Updates

GoNetSpeedFiber Optic Project  

The following is a timeline of what has happened regarding GoNetSpeed fiber optic line install project:

➢ GoNetSpeed called the Village offices and requested a meeting, which occurred on October 17, 2024, at 10:00 am, where the Village was informed about the project and how it was going to be performed. All Village representatives were able to ask any questions or raise any concerns they had. Several representatives from GoNetSpeed and their contractor, O’Connell Electric and a NYSEG Arborist, were present. Representing the Village were the Clerk/Treasurer, Administrator, DPW Crew Chief and Chair of the Village of East Aurora Tree Board.

➢ GoNetSpeed was immediately requested to attend a Village board meeting so the project information could be put out to the public.  They came to the next Village board meeting on October 21, 2024, at 7:00pm. O’Connell Electric and GoNetSpeed had multiple representatives at the board meeting to directly let the board know what their project entailed and answer questions from both the board and the public.

➢ With many concerns raised over the next several days a second internal meeting was requested by the Village with GoNetSpeed, NYSEG Arborist and O’Connell Electric, which occurred on November 5, 2024, at9:30 am. Present for the Village were Clerk/Treasurer, DPW Crew Chief, Administrator and Tree Board Chair. The Village made the following requests, from the Tree Board Chair; If a tree has 50% or more of its canopy removed, O’Connell Electric will contact the DPW Crew Chief to determine if the entire tree should be removed and if that is determined, O’Connell will remove the tree (at their expense); if when a tree is getting trimmed to the 10’x10’x15’specifications but it would be beneficial to the tree to trim back farther, O’Connell would do so. GoNetSpeed and O’Connell Electric agreed to our requests. During this meeting the Tree board chair was asked if there were any trees that needed special consideration, and the “fairy” tree on S. Grove St. was the only one the tree board chair relayed. The group then met on S. Grove St. to look at several trees, including the “fairy” tree, to see how they would be affected by the trimming. The group walked several blocks looking at and discussing what and how the trimming would be done. GoNetSpeed would later make the decision to not trim the “fairy” tree.  

➢ On December 10, 2024, Village Attorney sent a letter to the New York State Public Service Commission questioning the GoNetSpeed project, the concerns and what rights the Village had over the project. Once the Public Service Commission (PSC) received that letter, a multiple day pause was placed on the project, stopping all work. After PSC investigated our concerns and questions, along with NYSEG regarding the project’s actions by GoNetSpeed and O’Connell Electric, the pause was lifted, and the project was permitted to be resumed by PSC/NYS. It was noted by the PSC that O’Connell and GoNetSpeed were making concessions that were not required while working with the Village.

➢ This project has been discussed at all Village Board meetings from October 21, 2024, meeting on. The Administrator has fielded numerous calls from residents looking for information on this project from a better source than social media.

➢ The DPW Crew Chief has had communications with O’Connell Electric frequently and will continue to speak to them on a weekly basis, both the tree trimming side as well as the electrical side, with the hope that the Village will continue to be able to work through any issues that arise.