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QUISPAMSIS - When Jim Gillespie and fellow residents of Robin Hood Lane meet with NB Power officials this week, they're hoping for a different outcome than some of their neighbours.

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Noel Chenier/Telegraph-Journal

Jim Gillespie is not happy that hydro poles are appearing in his neighbourhood where underground wiring was once the norm.

The L-shaped street in Quispamsis is having its underground power lines dug up due to the lines being outdated and not up to code. The underground lines are being replaced with overhead lines on poles in front of the homes. Half the homes on the street have already undergone the change and Gillespie doesn't want the same thing to happen to his house.

He doesn't like the look of the lines in front of the houses and said it will have a negative effect on property values.

"We paid a premium for those houses when we got them because of the underground wiring and we're going to lose property value if they continue with it," he said. "It's not the value that concerns me most, it's the ugly, stinking pole line in an area that had no poles.

"It really is disgusting when you look at our street compared to other ones."

Ideally, he would like to keep the underground wires, but NB Power spokesperson Heather MacLean said the change to overhead lines is better for several reasons.

"I think in terms of what we see with winter storms, we're looking at (using overhead lines) more and more because of the reliability issue, visual inspections and less disruption to customers," MacLean said.

Another factor is cost, according to provincial Energy Minister Jack Keir.

"From a financial point of view, it's much cheaper to put the lines above ground than to bury them," Keir said.

The utility's financial concerns were little comfort to Gillespie who brought his concerns to Quispamsis MLA Mary Schryer who in turn spoke with Keir about the situation. The minister contacted NB Power officials and was promised the utility would consult with homeowners before continuing the work.

MacLean confirmed officials will meet with homeowners to discuss options before going further with replacing the power lines. However, she would not say what those options are.

Gillespie said he's happy the consultation will happen and has a couple of options in mind. He wants to keep the lines underground, but failing that, he wants the lines erected behind homes rather than in front.

However, placing the poles behind his home could cause more problems. Gillespie spoke with officials from NB Power on Friday and was told homeowners might have to pay for a new service entrance into their homes should the poles be placed behind the houses.

"We don't want to pay for that," Gillespie said. "Why should we?"

He believes others in the surrounding areas should keep an eye out on the situation.

"Rothesay is plugged full of underground wiring, are they going to be next?" he said.

The homeowners are scheduled to meet with NB Power officials on Thursday.