It might look strange, but there is a good reason for this odd attachment to the new utility pole at the intersection of S. Ireland and Forsythe Street.
According to Duke Energy lineman Steve Stier, the old pole had to be replaced for safety reasons, and it is a policy of the Duke Energy corporation to do everything possible to prevent a disturbance of mother nature.
The utility crew noticed a large hole in the old pole during the replacement and thought nothing of it, at first. However, after investigating it further they found that a mother squirrel had made a home in the old pole and was inside with several young. Using a secret technique, the crew kept the mother and young safely in their home while they cut the old section out of the old pole and attached it to the new one. Stier said the family would outgrow and vacate the tightly quartered nest later this spring at which time the crew can take the extra section down.
