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For a small fee you could get a copy of your Platte map for your property from city hall, it should have the easement shown where it ends and where the utilities are. Its good to have a copy anyway for your records. And while your there at city hall you could ask for a copy of the plans for under ground construction by Verizon on your street that they have to file with the city before they start. I use to work years ago for a cable TV company in the Under ground construction dept. and judging by your photos, They well out of the easement! Most cities in the US. easement stops at the sidewalk that is closest to the house. I bet anything that Verizon has no idea that the contractor took a short cut across your property.
Good luck, Rick PS. You may get some money from Verizon to restore your landscaping
Well, Doug the engineer never called, nor did Mary, who promised repeatedly to follow-up, ever bother to call.
This morning, I filed my informal complaint with the Public Utilities Commission. For those of you interested, below is the body of the complaint:
Quote:
Starting on 11/2, a subcontractor for Verizon, Quanta Services, began running FTTP (fiber optic to the premises) telecommunications lines, which it operates under the brand name "Verizon FIOS". A door hanger was left with each homeowner indicating that digging on my property may be necessary to complete the work. At that time, they did not indicate that any structures or devices would be placed within my property lines. On 11/3, a device with an exposed top was buried within my property line. This is inconsistent with the installation process for the rest of the neighborhood, where the devices are typically installed in the right-of-way area, between the sidewalk and the street. Additionally, the box poses a trip hazard in my front lawn, as well as a potentially dangerous impact zone, and renders this area unusable as a play area for my young children (18 months and 4 years old).
On 11/4, I contacted both Verizon and the contractor to notify them that this installation is unacceptable and that it was not installed with my consent. I also expressed displeasure with damages done to my landscaping, which had just recently been done by a professional landscaper just a few months prior.
After speaking in person with the subcontractor, I was told that the reason for the location of installation was because of the placement of gas lines (despite the fact that I had not been consulted in this decision). When I requested that the box be relocated, I was told that "We'll see what we can do".
I followed up with a call to the subcontractor's office as advised by the door hanger that had been left, but the party I spoke with was not able to help me and promised to have someone call me back the same day - this never occurred.
I have also spoken directly with Verizon Customer Service, and was told that a Verizon Engineer would be contacting me to address my concerns. That phone call was never received, nor have I been able to get in touch with the same customer service rep who promised to follow-up.
A satisfactory response to this complaint would be to relocate the box to the common area adjacent to my property (which is in itself a drainage basin, and classified as an easement), this would involve moving the box approximately 6 feet laterally from the existing location. This area is under the jurisdiction of the HOA representing common grounds in the development.
Alternatively, I have made the contractor aware that I would also find it acceptable to move the box into the right-of-way that I described previously.
Additionally, I would like to receive compensation for damage to my landscaping. I have yet to solicit a landscaping contractor for a quote, but will gladly do so if Verizon deems this course of action appropriate.
As an aside, I would strongly recommend that the PUC review the processes and procedures under which Verizon is conducting this project. At present, Verizon has absolutely no hotlines to address homeowner concerns, instead they rely upon the contractor to perform this service. Unfortunately, the subcontractor is completely non-responsive and unprofessional.
Perfect letter!!!!! Is it possible that there could "an accident" where that "Box" somehow was filled with "Ready Mix"
Rick
Well, my intention is to be as passive-aggressive as I can be at this stage. This way I can be seen as 'the little guy, being stomped on by the big, bad utility' if and when this goes to a hearing. If I damage their property in some way, I'd imagine I can be held liable for the damages.
At worst what I would do is cover the box with topsoil and plant sod on top of it. Another thing that occurred to me is how unfortunate it would be if some vandal removed the lid. At that point, I'd be forced to fill the box with top soil to prevent a trip hazard. And if Verizon needed to use it, they'd probably have to dig the box out and dump it out. At which point, it would be just as easy to move it as it would be to put it back where it is. I'd even gladly dig them a new hole.
At that point, I'd be forced to fill the box with top soil to prevent a trip hazard. And if Verizon needed to use it, they'd probably have to dig the box out and dump it out. At which point, it would be just as easy to move it as it would be to put it back where it is. I'd even gladly dig them a new hole.
Ha. Indeed.
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Wonder how much they back charged the sub for that?
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Congrats cwa!! I've been reading this thread continuously following your story!
I guess this just proves that a calm, educated approach will get you what you want. The whole "system does work" line..
EDIT: cwa! On a side note, are you having Verizon pay for the landscaping they bunged up? Or are they just moving the box to the proper location?
Thanks. They also put down mulch (I didn't even notice they had done it, but the Verizon guy pointed it out). Even matched it up with the black-dyed stuff I use. I guess I'll have to re-edge the bed, but that's not a big deal. Just a couple of minutes with a shovel and maybe some shuffling of mulch.
Wonder how much they back charged the sub for that?
I hope they did. It was so careless on the sub's part. Had they used what little bit of gray matter is between their ears, I probably wouldn't have gotten up on my high horse
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This is great news!! I was wondering what the status was. I'm glad you were able to stay on top of it and not back down like he hoped you would due to his weak explanation.
Nice to know the little guy wins one now and then!
