Tree trouble for Hamden homeowner

HAMDEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- A Hamden homeowner is looking at a bill for thousands of dollars because of a tree that fell on his property.
       
The tree came from a neighboring property, but the company that owns it refuses to help.

Keith Johnson is actually very lucky. The huge pine tree that fell last week missed almost everything on his property.

"It missed the gazebo, fortunately," said Johnson. "It missed the picnic table..."

However, when it came to getting rid of that tree, his luck ran out. When the tree was standing, it was clearly on the other side of the fence, meaning it's not on his property.

"I think he's been in contact with you and you've been out here, is that right," asked News 8's Kent Pierce.

News 8 called up Hamden's Public Works Department to confirm that tree is on property owned by the Regional Water Authority. When Johnson called up the Authority for help getting rid of the tree, he was told it was not going to happen.

"And then unless the tree is actually considered diseased that the responsibility falls on the homeowner," Johnson said.

A spokeswoman for the Water Authority said they don't comment on customer complaints, but she would say that the company's lawyers investigated and say they're not responsible for the tree. The question is, if they're not responsible when a tree on their property falls on someone else's property, who is responsible.

Johnson says removing the tree and fixing his smashed fence could cost as much as $2,500, but that's only part of the problem. What fell is only half of the tree.

"Arborists have come out here, licensed tree guys who know what they're talking about," Johnson said.

"What did they tell you about what's left of that tree," asked Pierce.

"That is actually still considered a hazard," Johnson said.

If the other half of that tree, or any others next to it were to fall, they could easily crush his house.

"You're basically stuck at this point," questioned Pierce.

"Well, that's why I turned to News8 for help," Johnson said.

Now that News 8 has shown the Water Authority the problem, we'll see what happens next.