WEST HAVEN, Sept. 10, 2018 — The next phase of United Illuminating’s Vegetation Management Program will kick off Tuesday, Sept. 11, in Allingtown.

The five-year program, which began in 2014, is designed to reduce the amount of vegetation that UI says threatens power lines during storms.

UI is targeting trees and limbs within 8 feet of either side of power lines.

According to the Orange utility, tree reduction will increase public safety, reduce road blockage, improve roadside sight, and reduce tree-related power outages.

UI’s tree service contractor, Asplundh Tree Expert LLC of East Windsor, will not trim or remove privately owned trees without the owner’s consent, except when they are in contact with the utility’s energized conductors and present an imminent danger, UI said.

Trees on public property are under the control of West Haven’s tree warden, Leo Kelly.

Tom McCarthy, the city’s commissioner of public works, said Asplundh will remove all wood within 10 business days of pruning or removal.

The tree work, which has been reviewed and approved by Kelly, will follow in the West Shore and Center districts and end in the spring, UI said.

Tree service crews, working from Orange trucks, will have police assigned for safety and traffic control.

See the list of streets affected by the Vegetation Management Program. Details at UI’s VMP.