MAGNOLIA SPRINGS, Ala. — Rivieria Utilities’ periodic tree trimming has Magnolia Springs residents uncomfortable. So much so, that the Magnolia Springs Town Council held its December workshop in the Fire Hall Tuesday night and dedicated the first portion of it to a forum for residents to discuss those concerns with Riviera officials.

As previously reported, representatives from the utility company gave a presentation at last month’s workshop to explain the process. At that time, they said that within a few weeks, workers would be in the town to make sure foliage is at least 10 feet from power lines. Otherwise, branches and leaves that come in contact with them could spark fires.

However, Magnolia Springs Community Association President Virginia Stone said that after last month’s presentation, she received numerous phone calls from residents concerned that trees and flowers in the town would be cut too far back and even ruined. In addition, she expressed her own concern after attending.

“You said the trimming would be much more severe than in the past,” she told Riveria officials Tueday.

Although that was echoed by one other attendee, neither Magnolia Springs Council members nor Riviera representatives recalled that being said at November’s workshop. Instead, Riviera Supervisor of Vegetation Josh Roberts reiterated that the utility company would cut foliage at least 10 feet from power lines. Additional trimming would be conducted, as well.

“If you can’t see around a curb, that stuff will be removed,” he said.

The certified arborist added that the size of Riviera’s equipment does require strategic cutting to enable access to the power lines.

“You can’t just go straight up a tree,” Roberts said. “We’ll go over and up.”

Residents said their main concern was for Oak Street, which has a foliage canopy that serves as a backdrop to community events and is touted as a town attraction. However, Magnolia Springs Mayor Ken Underwood said he didn’t believe there would be a problem.

“This isn’t the first time Oak Street is going to be trimmed,” he said. “The last time and the time before, there were no complaints.”

In addition, town officials pointed out that Rivieria is required to comply with both a franchise agreement with the municipality and the town tree ordinance. It stipulates that if more than 10 percent of a tree is cut, the town can fine the utility company.

Rivieria has already begun trimming in Magnolia Springs but was waiting until after Tuesday’s meeting to tackle Oak Street. But despite efforts to ease resident’s concerns, they persisted.

“We’ve seen what’s been done this last week,” said resident Alida Given. “Plants have been dstroyed. So we are worried.”

The discussion lasted for 1 ½ hours, with Stone saying the Community would partner with the Magnolia Springs Garden Club to hire a certified arborist to look after residents’ interest.

The discussion also included residents asking about the cost and effort involved in adding underground power lines along Oak Street and in other areas. Riviera Manager of Electric and Cable TV Thomas DeBell said the cost of researching and implementing such a plan would need to be paid up front.

“But we can go as deep into this as you want to,” he said.

The forum ended with no decision made on underground power lines.