Prior to the Hanover Council meeting on Oct. 16, Margaret Szabo, who lives near Sherwood Park, asked Township Manager Sandra Pudliner for the township's assistance in removing a recently downed tree. When the tree fell earlier in the week, it damaged nearby power lines, putting about 40 neighbors in the dark.

During the repair of the power lines, PPL equipment damaged grassy areas on Sazbo's property and in Sherwood Park. Szabo looked to the township to repair damage to her backyard.

Pudliner reported to council that the township had the area surveyed and the fallen tree was not on township property. Szabo was informed that she had recourse through her neighbor's insurance policy for damage incurred.

"I think it is PPL's responsibility to make repairs if they damage property," Councilman Michael Woolley said. Sherwood Park and Szabo's property have ruts in the grass caused by PPL's repair vehicles.

Pudliner said she is confident PPL will work with the township and the homeowners, but has no commitment from the power company.

According to Pudliner, PPL does have a right-of-way under the power lines, but the area is crowded with heavy underbrush.

Public Works Director Jeffry Mouer referred to a discussion he had earlier with Pudliner.

"Earlier in the year I had discussions with Sandra about providing a walkway along the area," he said. "That would help if PPL needed to get access to the lines."

According to Pudliner, no action would have been taken by the township until later in the fall.

"We would also need board approval for something like that," she said.

Woolley indicated that he believed most of the larger trees were infected with some kind of bug and were hollow inside.

"We may be seeing more of the trees come down," he said.

According to Pudliner, the township will continue to look at options for cleaning up the underbrush, but not until later in the year. Any action would be pushed to 2014.

In the interim, the township informed Szabo that any compensation from tree damage could be made against her neighbor who has the tree on his property.

Pudliner did contact PPL to see what remedies they were prepared to offer.