Has SECO Energy caught up with you yet?
 

SECO Energy has informed us (via a door knocker) that we need to clear out the shrubs (hedge) that are in front of the transformer box that sits in the back of our property. SECO needs 10' of clearance in front of where the transformer box door opens and 3' on the other three sides of the transformer box. We will be hiring landscapers to do this job.

We were also told we need to clear 3 feet from the front and sides of our SECO meter which is located on the side of the house. We have to remove one shrub which is part of the hedge that runs along the side of our house to be in compliance.

We were informed that once we receive a letter stating that these shrubs must be removed, we have 30 days to complete the work. If we do not comply, our service may be interrupted. Have you been notified yet to remove shrubs in these locations on your property?

I know a neighbor who also had to do this.

I guess if I planted around the boxes and meter and was later told to remove them that is what I would do. I'm sure it's a safety issue for their workers and meter readers.

SECO addressed this issue in 2019 thread.

SECO News, October 2019 – SECO Energy

We purchased our pre-owned home with all the shrubs in place and very healthy and mature. I'm sad to remove that beautiful hedge in front of the transformer box but I do know it is for the safety of the workers. I certainly will not like looking at a transformer box from my window.

I may be wrong here but I think that you need only remove hedges from one side so the workers can stand and open the box if needed...unless yours are really covering the box??? We have been checked recently by them and we were o.k. to have them on one side.

Ten feet in front, three feet on the other three sides. Yours must have been far enough away that they could stay.

The door to the transformer box must have 10 feet of clearance. My shrubs are well within that so they must come out. The other three sides of the transformer box must have 3 feet of clearance. Again, my shrubs are too close even on the side so they must come out.

Yes, you are wrong. 10 feet in front and 3 on sides and back must be clear. SECO has been lenient in enforcing this previously but no longer. In extreme cases of noncompliance they will turn off your power. Just read this information in the latest VCDD news

Understandable indeed.

Yes I received a letter in the mail. I may have a door knocker...but I am not at my residence ....But I got a letter advising me of the same. I have to send a picture to them at the site they gave me showing I have corrected the area.

Seco
 

Yep. I got the notice and had to remove the vegetation as specified. We certainly don't want those SECO techies endangered by bushes and the sort growing around those transformers. There could be most anything lurking in there....snakes, lions, tigers, giraffes...who knows what. They can working on my transformer in total safety now.

yep same here
 

yep same here

I'll be sending photos too when the work is completed.

No you are wrong you need 3 feet on either side and 10 feet on the front. They had me take pictures with a tape measure to show compliance.

They can't turn off electricity during COVID-19. All utilities in State have made that agreement.

Yep. In our neighborhood (about 10 years old) they’ve begun replacing those boxes. Our shrubs were builder planted, but not within the posted distances.

We were contacted by SECO regarding plants being too close (less than 10') to the box in the yard. We were later told only 3' clearance was necessary. I haven't heard about clearances around the meter. You may want to get clarification from SECO regarding exactly what equipment is referenced on your property.

I got the notice. I moved the box and did not touch the scrubs.



:shocked:

Yes I also received the cleanup note. I hired someone to clear the area. Then I took a picture and sent it in and now I'm good.

If there is a transformer next to your property, or if it appears to be on your property, you should be aware that you do not own that area. It is a utility easement. Many people don't understand that. If you can, get a plat of your lot with all the measurements, and you will see exactly where your property ends. Many people plant shrubs around the transformers to hide their "ugliness", and in the end, have to remove them.
As far as having shrubs around your house and close to the electric meter, they have no say about that except if they need to be able to access it or read it.

:ohdear:Hmmmmmm. A utility easement IS on "your" property.



What is a utility easement Florida?
An easement is a limited right to use the land of another. ... A common example of an easement would be to allow the Florida Power and Light Company to enter your land to provide utility services. Another example of an easement would be for the use of another's land to enter or exit their own property.

I had a door notice that a tree was too close to the front of the transformer box. I did nothing. About a month later they came and replaced the box with a shiny new one. They had no problem changing the boxes.

SECO paint
 

Will they supply the paint for the box? Ours is all stained, and faded. It looks terrible directly in the front of our house.

Call them and ask
 

They are usually very agreeable and will let you know. Maybe they'll let you paint it?

Yes, we were informed of that a couple of years ago during the summer when we were not here. They actually removed the bushes, maybe things have changed?

was that a funny ????

Actually we were told this with all transformers (SECO and what is now known as DUKE) when we purchased 23 years ago. They need quick access to their equipement. Also air needs to circulate around the equipment the same as your AC unit outside.

Paint
 

Yes they will repaint it. Give them a call. It will be Lady Bird Johnson green. She specified the green color for pad mount transformers and the gray color for pole mount transformers years ago. Today’s trivia history.

I had to trim a very large hedge. I then had to send pictures to their website letting them know I was in compliance. I heard that they are going to start replacing the boxes.

had a neighbor who one year decided to decorate the big green utility box that was on his property with colorful Christmas wrapping paper and a huge read bow

it looked nice, but it didn't go over that well with FPL

We haven’t heard anything yet. Crossing our fingers.

SECO - ugh
 

We have been here 16 years, several month ago SECO knocked on our door saying they were taking down some bushes around the box. They made a mess and just left it.
Two weeks ago a woman from SECO knocked on our door and told me I have to clean up the mess they left. I said they made the mess so why not they clean it up. She said they are not landscapers. I then hired someone to take out the stumps and clean the area then I receive a letter telling me to take a picture and send it to them. Not going to do it - they are sending someone to take the pictures.

Our District 4 Rep said SECO was coming
 

Over a month ago our District 4 rep let us know this was coming so that we would be prepared. Hats off to Don Deakin! He keeps us well informed.

SECO letter
 

Yes and I spoke to the gentleman when he came out and it says on the box that all bushes, etc must be placed 3 ft away from all sides. He explained that if they had to come out and hack through your plants - 1) you'd be upset 2) they'd actually walk away and whomever else in on that line would not have electricity either and therefore you'd have angry neighbors to deal with as well. 3) they can charge you $50 trip fee if you do not respond if they need to discuss this issue with you further.

Plain and simple, take the picture they request and send it to them to get them off your back. I did.

We received no letter and SECO cut our bush down without informing us. This happened several years ago. Since then the bush has grown back.

BTW, we did not plant the bushes. They were there for six years before we moved there.

I bought a home that has a tree growing next to and over the box. I have been trimming it back every year to create clearance for workers, but it comes back. If they say that I need to cut the tree down, I will. "say la vie"

Many of our neighbors had trees planted by the developers 8 years ago that had to be removed as well as other shrubs. One I know had a $1660 palm tree approved by arc that had to be removed. These requirements are understandable but after 8 years it was a little hard to swallow when they were planted by the developers and new plantings haD ARC approval.

I have never seen these boxes anywhere else but here. The Villages thinks of everything, but apparently not with regard to these unsightly boxes!