Gerald Keer writes that maintenance and storm-related replacement work by Verizon and Atlantic Electric is slow and wasteful.
To the Editor:
After reading many comments against the way Verizon provides land-line telephone services in South Jersey, add my complaint - and include Atlantic Electric, too.
Last fall, Atlantic Electric began utility pole replacement in Washington Township's Whitman Square development. At the start, they installed 11 new utility polls on Whitman Drive north of Johnson Road. Then they stopped.
Both the new and old utility poles stood in place, and nothing was done with the unsightly mess at the base of the new poles. When I complained to Atlantic Electric, I was told that removal of the old poles is the responsibility of Verizon, which must coordinate the transfer of its land lines to the new poles, then removes the old ones. I learned that Verizon would not begin its work until this past spring, at which time Atlantic Electric would resume replacing old poles with new ones.
Finally, work started. But, then we had the "macroburst" storm this June, which disturbed some of the schedule. The new electricity poles have now been installed, but between the Black Horse Pike and Whitman Drive, 20 of the old poles have been cut to half-size, waiting for Verizon.
The scene makes a resident wonder what kind of a make-work project this is.
Even more interesting was that in a separate project, gas mains were replaced all over Whitman Square, with new connections extended to every house. This was accomplished in a non-disruptive manor with proper housekeeping in a matter of months - not even close to a year.
Adherence to above-ground utility service for telephone and electricity is certainly out of date. If we have another macroburst or derecho, I wonder how many poles will be replaced and how much wire will be wasted. Business as usual?
Gerald Keer
Turnersville
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