WILTON — Central Maine Power Co. Regional Manager David Dufour agreed to expedite a design plan to keep power lines underground after Fenderson Hill residents voiced their preference during a second meeting with CMP representatives on Wednesday.

The power lines buried underground in the mid-1970s when the housing development was created are wearing out and need replacement. There is something in the soil that’s eating away and deteriorating the cable, especially on what is considered Fenderson Hill North or the portion to the right at the top of the hill.

There have been several power outages reported on part of the hill. CMP has budgeted for work to be done this year but proposed putting poles in the neighborhood located off Route 156.

However, covenants within resident deeds require underground lines instead of power lines.

Over 50 residents met about a month ago with Dufour, CMP Line Supervisor Harry Clark and Arborist Supervisor Jeremy Drake to voice concerns about cutting trees along their properties, planned power outages occurring during the work, changes in their property aesthetics, values and privacy.

One resident told Dufour she expects to lose 37 trees outright not counting those damaged along her property during the work as trenches are dug and roots damaged.

After the first meeting, posts with ribbons were set up on Fenderson Hill to indicate where poles would be erected. Dufour told the residents he has received many comments, some for and some against, changing to poles.

After Selectman Tom Saviello indicated he would only approve permits for what the residents themselves wanted, a show of hands from the smaller group of voting residents at the meeting Wednesday indicated their preference for keeping power lines underground by a vote of 26 to 1.

“The more we thought about it, the more it mattered,” said Nancy Cureton while expressing her appreciation for the CMP representatives listening to their concerns.

There will be a change on the hill.

Whether the project creates a difference with underground wires or a difference with poles, “either way it will still be beautiful,” Dr. Thomas Weigle said.

“We provide a service and will do as much as we can to make as many people happy as possible,” Dufour told the residents. He also promised to “explore any and all options to minimize outages” during the work.

Residents on the hill can expect outages lasting a good part of the day on days when digging and cable laying are being done, he said. It won’t be every day but frequent, he added.

Part of CMP’s dilemma over the project is that “we’re not sure what we’re getting into,” Drake said. The underground wires were not installed well with part of the wires running along the side of the pavement, some running under the pavement, he explained.

CMP needs permits from the town for the project. Dufour said he planned to expedite the design work in an attempt to bring it before town selectmen at the Aug. 3 meeting so that the work can begin.

“Our goal is to get this done this year,” he said.

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