Mark Tree / Great Plain projects moving slowly as Verizon pole relocations and property issues delay construction

Staff provided updates on the Mark Tree Road and Great Plain projects, telling committee members they continue plan development and resident outreach. Staff said they have mailed or will meet with about 15 property owners directly affected by sidewalk, drainage or tree work and are negotiating with owners where fences or other private improvements extend into the right of way.

Staff said several utility poles — six to seven in one corridor — must be relocated for the work and that Verizon’s scheduling for pole moves is the critical path for construction. Staff reported Verizon had proposed timing in the fall for some relocations, but that the utility has been slow and that pole relocation costs are substantial; staff used $25,000 per pole as an order‑of‑magnitude estimate carried in recent project cost estimates.

Committee members said the town has had mixed success accelerating pole moves by engaging elected officials or other utility contacts; staff said in some past projects political engagement produced results. Staff said the team plans to package the project for a spring construction start with final design completed by winter and to pursue phased work if pole relocations prevent full project deployment.

Other project notes included locating underground utilities for new sidewalks, coordinating with Verizon on line transfers, potential use of granite curbing at some sites, and planning for drainage work that may appear to be in private yards but will be located on town‑managed property. Staff said they hope to have a near‑final package to share by the end of the calendar year and start construction in summer, pending pole relocations and funding.