Wooden poles are a large investment for any utility company. They are a huge responsibility to install and maintain requiring expertise and specialized equipment. To replace poles it can be expensive and time consuming but leaving poles unmanaged can result in high risk of failure and power outages.
Distribution and infrastructure systems need to be healthy in order for a safe and reliable supply of power. Pole maintenance inspections and replacement are a big part of a healthy system. Routine inspections and accurate record keeping is key to proactive replacement.
Just like you perform regular checks on your vehicle, your furnace and your health, poles need to be inspected too. Damage from water, woodpeckers and other elements can cause damage which can potentially lead to potential outages.
We are going to have more and more severe weather, we must take steps and prepare for it.
After the pole failure in Harrow I sent an email asking the following questions:
“Hi everyone,
I am sure most of you saw on my social media the broken pole in Harrow.
ELK staff were amazing yesterday – basically lifting the pole by hand and installing a new one. I was onsite and got to experience the entire installation. Great work with real physical people power in a tricky spot. A real after hours emergency repair with all hands on deck coming together. ELK had 7 employees and 4 trucks, no cheap repair I am sure.
My questions from talking to the neighbors are, what is the age of the pole? The neighbours did believe it was over 60 years old. There are other poles on her property the same age. If this is the case I am very worried for the condition of the rest of the poles in Harrow- Kingsville and Lakeshore. Not just in ELK territory of course but since 5/8 councillors are on the ELK board, I believe Essex Council should be aware of the condition of assets.
Let me be very clear. This has nothing to do with staff and everything to do with the condition of existing infrastructure.
Does anyone know when this particular pole was last inspected?
With increase in severe weather more and more damage like this could happen.
Is anyone following up with the older woman who lost her tree?
Sherry
I sent that email on Wednesday August 11th , I will let you know if I hear back. As a councillor representing the residents it is my duty to ask questions on their behalf.
The Essex Councillors on the ELK Board are: Mayor Snively, Deputy Mayor Richard Meloche, Councillors Bowman, Garon and Vander Doelen. The Board should be able to answer asset management questions that the public are asking and in my opinion, this should be public information.
