Council approves utility pole installations on Western Industrial Drive after questions about removal and resurfacing

The Cranston public works committee and full council voted to approve petitions from Narragansett Electric/Rhode Island Energy and Verizon New England to install new utility poles on Western Industrial Drive.

Public works staff and the public works director recommended approval after reviewing letters and site plans. Council questions focused on how long utilities take to remove old poles when a new pole is installed adjacent to the old one and on how contractors restore the street surface where poles are set.

Public works staff said these petitions were for new pole locations and are not connected to removal of existing poles. The director said the city is in frequent communication with the utilities and is "constantly battling" to ensure timely removal of older poles but was not aware of any statutory time limit forcing immediate removal. When asked whether contractors repatch with concrete or asphalt after installing concrete poles, staff replied the company is required to "place it in kind" (restore the surface to the same material) though it might not happen immediately.

The committee approved new pole P1-50; the council later approved P5-50 after sponsors clarified the agenda item covered only the listed pole and that two additional poles mentioned in the cover letter would need separate agenda action.

Why it matters: poles and associated work affect sidewalks, walkability and safety. Council members asked about timely removal of old poles and surface restoration where walking routes are used by residents.

Council action: motions to approve the two pole petitions were passed in committee and by roll call in the full council.