Electric company sues Ohio couple over pool

7/31/2013

BOARDMAN, Ohio — An electric company has sued a northeast Ohio couple to recoup the cost of moving its overhead transmission lines farther away from their in-ground swimming pool.

Although the pool has been in the Boardman back yard for 21 years, the Ohio Edison Co. says it is in the easement for the company’s 69,000-volt power lines.

The company sued Joseph and Marsha Bettura this week in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. The suit seeks an unspecified amount for re-framing the transmission poles to raise the wires to a safer height above the pool.

Joseph Betura tells The (Youngstown) Vindicator he didn’t pay the $7,100 bill for raising its lines because he had earlier signed an agreement saying he owes the utility only $1.