Council approves Holyoke Gas & Electric petition for new support pole at Courser and Isabella

The Holyoke City Council voted unanimously March 18 to approve a petition from Holyoke Gas & Electric to place a support (span-guy) pole at the corner of Courser and Isabella streets.

Vin O'Connell, representing Holyoke Gas & Electric, described the request as a non-electrical support pole roughly 50 feet from the existing last pole on Courser Street and located near the hospital entrance. He said the pole would not carry primary or secondary electrical facilities and would be used solely to provide mechanical support for another pole on Courser so it “doesn't lean over.” O'Connell said abutting property owners had been notified and the utility had not received objections.

Councilor Anderson Burgos confirmed the location is in Ward 3 and that the ward councilor had no objection. After a public hearing with no speakers, the clerk conducted a roll-call vote. The clerk read in the roll call; the recorded votes (Israel Rivera, Jenny Rivera, Sullivan, Bacon, Anderson Burgos, Bartley, Devine, Graney, Jourdain, McGrath Smith, Ocasio) were all yes. The council president announced the petition approved by unanimous vote.

The council's approval authorizes the physical placement per the petition but does not alter public-right-of-way rules; the utility remains responsible for permitting and for coordination with city departments as required.