Franklin County Line Upgrade

Updates

Before project permitting, during the permitting phase and during construction, we use this update section to provide news and information about VELCO projects in process. These regular updates ensure that the public can follow and have input into our projects. Here are some highlights. Please check back for additional project updates.

February 2023

VELCO sent a letter to towns and landowners to provide updates on upcoming field assessment work being performed in February and March. 

February 14, 2023 letter to towns and landowners

January 2023

The VELCO Project Team received great questions from community members at the November community meetings. We have compiled those questions in a Frequently Asked Questions document. This is the first version of the Franklin County Line Upgrade FAQs and will be updated as the project moves forward. 

Download the Frequently Asked Questions document here. 

November 2022

The VELCO project team is hosting four community meetings to provide a forum to learn all aspects of interest about the project including the new line's purpose, proposed design, and work timeline. The VELCO project team will be available to answer questions and listen to community input. 

• November 2, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Town of Georgia Middle School Cafeteria
• November 3, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., St. Albans Town Education Center Cafeteria
• November 9, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Swanton Central School Library
• November 10, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Highgate Elementary School Gymnasium

Download Community Meeting presentation here
 

October 2022

VELCO sent a letter to towns and landowners with an invitation to join one or more community meetings to discuss the project. 

October 14, 2022 letter to towns and landowners

August 2022

VELCO sent a letter to towns and landowners to provide updates on field assessment work being performed. 

August 31, 2022 letter to towns and landowners 

Meet our ROW Specialists

Additional Field Assessments: VELCO and its contractors will continue field assessments through the fall 2022, walking the corridor that runs over your property.  Our purpose is to review existing conditions, perform construction site reviews and continue surveys to identify suitable access points, laydown areas for materials during construction, and trees that pose an unacceptable risk to the new line.

Soil Borings: In order to safely reposition the new poles, VELCO will need to conduct approximately 30 soil borings in October at various points along the 16.6-mile route. These borings are completed using a tracked rig with an auger and will be temporary in nature. Our commitment is that any disturbed area will be stabilized and restored. Additionally, no work will be done without first giving advance notice if in fact a soil boring needs to take place on your property.

Vegetation Maintenance and Tree Clearing: The new location of the poles will be closer to the edge of the corridor, and will require tree clearing to the full extent of the right-of-way where it is not already cleared to the full 150’ width. Trees outside of the ROW that pose a reliability threat to the new line will also need to be removed. Rob Naramore and Raven Buttice from VELCO’s Real Estate and Right-of-Way team will work directly with you and your neighbors seeking to collaboratively confirm/acquire rights to additional trees. Review introductory profiles of Rob and Raven HERE. They will serve as your main points of contact for ROW matters and look forward to working with you throughout the project.

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June 2022

VELCO met with the Town of St. Albans on June 6 to introduce the project and answer questions. The full presentation is available here. 

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April/May 2022

VELCO sent letters to towns and landowners introducing the project and providing notification of environmental and right-of-way assessments. 

April 7, 2022 letter to towns and landowners

May 5, 2022 letter to towns and landowners