[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by JoMar

Yeah probably right but if you regularly attend the CDD meetings just or the District meetings it seems to always be about finding a way to circumvent the deed restrictions or find other ways to not take personal responsibility. I also have learned that for all those that are verbal there are a silent majority that agree but won't speak up. Just seems to be more than when I moved here and in conversations with some who have been here since the 80's and 90's they seem to agree.

Really? If you came here in the 80’s at retirement age. You could be nearly 100 years of age. You are stretching your argument...........

[Velvet]

In the 90’s I met a young man at the Webb pool, I was just old enough to go, who wanted to invest in a home here in TV. He’s probably living here now, he was in his late 40’s at the time. I remember how delighted he was at the idea.

[JC419]

The reason for the ten foot clearance in front of transformers is safety. The feeder cables are connected to the transformer by an elbow. At times linemen need to disconnect the elbow from the transformer. This is done by using what is called a “hot stick”. The hot stick itself is about 8 feet (don’t remember exact length) long and requires strength to pull the disconnect the elbows. Bushes could create a tripping hazard etc. Also, at times if there could be a problem with transformer or cable which could cause an electric flash when pulling elbows - the clearance makes it safer.

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Really? If you came here in the 80’s at retirement age. You could be nearly 100 years of age. You are stretching your argument...........

Some of my family came here in 1989. Still live here, go to the squares, attend club meetings, and definitely not 100.

So back to original post, home we looked at last week had seco box completely covered with plants and bushes. It was so dense had no idea it was there until we walked the property

[JoMar]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Really? If you came here in the 80’s at retirement age. You could be nearly 100 years of age. You are stretching your argument...........

Actually both are in their mid 80's, they came here in '87. I also play with several who bought in the 90's. The 80's were only 30 some years ago. Those that moved in 87 were retired military and were in their 50's when they arrived.

[villagetinker]

Originally Posted by JC419

The reason for the ten foot clearance in front of transformers is safety. The feeder cables are connected to the transformer by an elbow. At times linemen need to disconnect the elbow from the transformer. This is done by using what is called a “hot stick”. The hot stick itself is about 8 feet (don’t remember exact length) long and requires strength to pull the disconnect the elbows. Bushes could create a tripping hazard etc. Also, at times if there could be a problem with transformer or cable which could cause an electric flash when pulling elbows - the clearance makes it safer.

Well said, I am guessing you are former utility guy, me too. My former address far from here did not enforce rear yard right of way for many years. Then came the October 31st snow storm....What should have been a 1 day outage, was 5 days due to the lack of clearance and the inability for the electric utility to get trucks to the trouble spots, all the work had to be done be hand and by climbing poles. Even though the utilities are buried here, cables and associated equipment still fail, and the utility workers need access to repair. Keep the bushes away.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by asianthree

Some of my family came here in 1989. Still live here, go to the squares, attend club meetings, and definitely not 100.

So back to original post, home we looked at last week had seco box completely covered with plants and bushes. It was so dense had no idea it was there until we walked the property

Originally Posted by JoMar

Actually both are in their mid 80's, they came here in '87. I also play with several who bought in the 90's. The 80's were only 30 some years ago. Those that moved in 87 were retired military and were in their 50's when they arrived.

I said retirement age assuming 65, not early.
Sorry to rattle your cages...…………………………...

[JoMar]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

I said retirement age assuming 65, not early.
Sorry to rattle your cages...…………………………...

Then you would have been right but more likely they would be dead lol

[Bruiser1]

I don't know if it was explained to you but the 10' clearance is a condition to operate the transformer.

Using fiberglas "hot sticks" requires the operator to pull the energized elbows off . It is necessary to have that clear zone to provide separation from the energized 7,200 /7,900 or 19,900 primary voltage to ground (what ever the existing operating voltage is.

[rustyp]

Now that the OP has been educated on why the clearance is ten feet any bets on those bushes being moved ?

[skip0358]

My Daughter lives outside of TV. SECO cut down the tree/bush in front of the transformer on her property and left her a note explaining why.
She didn't plant it it was there when she moved in. Also she works for SECO so they will do what the notice says. Period

[tagjr1]

Who planted the Shrubs in the first place? If the homeowners did, then who authorized planting so close to the boxes?

[skip0358]

Originally Posted by tagjr1

Who planted the Shrubs in the first place? If the homeowners did, then who authorized planting so close to the boxes?

Sometimes people plant what and where they want without regard. I to was a utility worker and in a rear yard utility supply system. Check your surveys and don't plant in the utility right away period!

[Chellybean]

Originally Posted by skip0358

Sometimes people plant what and where they want without regard. I to was a utility worker and in a rear yard utility supply system. Check your surveys and don't plant in the utility right away period!

You can't fix stupid or arrogants.

[Bobski]

So, thank you everyone for your comments , concerns and recommendations on my transformer situation. I was an electrician for 45 years in MA so I for one appreciate working clearances and know of there importance. So I completely removed one shrub to make a 5.5' complete total clearance in front of the transformer . There is another small shrub that is only 3' high in the 10' clearance zone. I will also be removing this one. Coincidentally a SECO rep was at a neighbors house yesterday on a unrelated manner and I was able to show him my situation. This guy , Robert, couldn't have been any nicer and we were able to come to an agreement regarding a side bush that's not quite 3' from the transformer. My biggest problem with this whole situation is after driving around TV , I have noticed literally dozens and dozens of transformers in violation, some completely buried, some with trees in front of them and quite a few on TV properties like golf cart paths, roadways, etc. I was not looking for any special treatment but just want to make sure the rules of compliance apply to all SECO customers. I recommended to the SECO rep that decals should have been installed on these transformers in large letters stating 'KEEP 10' CEARANCE in FRONT and 3' EACH SIDE.