Patchogue resident raises safety and aesthetics concerns over sewer-project utility boxes; staff to follow up

A Patchogue homeowner told trustees June 9 that utility boxes and service poles installed as part of a new sewer project are mounted prominently in front yards instead of behind fences, raising safety, aesthetic and consistency concerns.

Resident Jared Salt, who said he lives at 19 Pine Boulevard, brought photographs showing service boxes and poles placed near front doors and front yards on his block. Salt told the board the installations make the neighborhood look “industrial” and worried about children and pets in yards near the equipment.

Salt said contractors told him the boxes were “permanent” and that he should “talk to the town” about relocation. He said he was told by one crew that the configuration was required and that he should not be concerned because the property was receiving a free sewer connection.

Salt asked whether the village had documentation showing preconstruction condition inspections or homeowner agreements about restoration. Village staff said records and the project’s environmental assessment will be reviewed and that the engineering firm (identified in meeting notes as HQM/AGCO) would contact Salt to arrange a site visit.

The board recorded a staff direction to compare existing property records with the contractor’s work and to have the engineering firm reach out to the resident; the meeting transcript records staff saying AGCO will “get a hold of you” and visit the property.

No board vote or formal code change resulted from the public comment; the matter was recorded as a resident complaint and assigned for staff follow-up.