Aberdeen Government/Road Work/ Utilities

[718732]

DH and I recently moved to NJ from NY and are getting used to how things work. Things definitely work differently here. ;-)

Can anyone explain how you find out what work is being done on your street when all the utility flags go up? As first time homeowners, we've taken a lot of pride in our little nest and I was horrified to come home to blue, yellow and orange spray paint all over the lawn, sidewalk and driveway.

I get the fact that work is being done but shouldn't notices be sent? Can they really spray paint my black top driveway and I have to repair it later?

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks!

[Marilyn]

Nevermind my comment, this discussion answered my question (where you are originally from). Anyways, I can't answer your question since my fiance and I are still renting. However, I agree with you. Notices should be sent out if they are going to be doing work on your property. You would think that's the protocol. Perhaps some of our fellow Bayshore Friends who own homes can jump in here.

Thanks for posting this very important topic!

[Ron]

It sounds like Verizon is installing fiber optics for FIOS.
They are supposed to be responsible for leaving the property
as they found it. I would contact the township to find out who
you can contact to voice your concerns.

[Elise]

hi 718732!
i have no clue about your mysterious markings, but i would be livid if i saw them on my property. when my husband and i were checking out the condo we eventually bought, we fell in love with the big, beautiful, healthy tree that grew right in front of our unit. we're on the 2nd floor and it filtered the sunlight in our living room *just* so. we went away for a weekend about a year later, and returned to find the tree had been removed, replaced with some grimy looking mulch and not much else. as owners paying crazy $$ in monthly maintenance fees, i feel we should have had a say in what happened to such a prominent part of the landscaping!! it's a shame, but we just sort of suck it up and deal with it.
i hope your problem is resolved soon. has the same damage been done to any other properties in your 'hood?

[718732]

Yes, other homes have been similarly disturbed. I emailed the town manager who told me it was FIOS (thanks Ron!) going in and I was given a number for Verizon's subcontractor to put in a complaint. Now I have a complaint number and haven't heard from anyone so we will see.

To be continued...

[Ron]

I had the same problem when FIOS cable was installed. (your welcome 718732)
Luckily, only a small section of lawn was damaged
where they installed a connection box below ground.
I am going to reseed the area this Spring.
I hope this FIOS is all they claim it is...lol

[718732]

I came home on Friday to a door hanger from Verizon announcing the FIOS work. Since I had also put in a complaint with the subcontractor, they actually called me on Friday at about 7pm. I have to say I was impressed with the way they handled it. The paint on the sidewalk and driveway will wear off (I hope) and the paint on the grass will, of course, grow out.

The representative said we should have been notified of the work BEFORE the flags went in and again when the work started. The door hanger I got was supposed to be the second one. Also, the work will take about three weeks.

All helpful info and I really have to hand it to the sub for their excellent customer service skills. I wasn't a happy camper and they were pleasant and helpful.

Thanks to all for your help!

[718732]

Just thought I'd update what happened after my last post. When I spoke to the rep from the Verizon subcontractor on 4/14, she told me that the job shouild be done in three weeks. It was completed at the end of June (some 10 weeks later).

In the meantime, we have about 10 square feet of missing grass (they seeded but the seed never took) and a sink hole in the driveway next to where they were digging. And I was worried about spray paint (which has washed away). After putting in a complaint about the driveway, they returned and patched but we are on our own with the grass.

Not quite what they promised... but it's done and now we know what the little flags were for! ;-)