Council approves Eversource conduit work on Wood and Orchard streets after safety questions

The New Bedford City Council on Sept. 25 approved permits allowing Eversource Energy to install underground conduit beneath sidewalks on Wood Street and Orchard Street.

The permits were granted after Eversource representative Jessica Elder described two separate work orders: roughly 10 feet of conduit at 494 Wood Street and about 40 feet of conduit on Orchard Street to provide upgraded service and to reach an existing handhole. Elder said the Wood Street work “shouldn’t take us any more than a day” and that the company would “restore back to the original condition or better.” She said the Orchard Street work could take “no more than 2 days” and noted that connection points were already in place.

Councilors raised public-safety concerns before voting. Councilor G.S. Donner asked for a police detail on Wood Street, calling it “a very, busy street.” Councilor Bridal Gomes and Ward Councilor Ryan Perera pressed Eversource for a detail at Orchard Street because the work is near Duval School and a heavily traveled daytime area. Perera asked whether any road closures were planned and urged scheduling closures, if needed, around school vacation periods: “If it is going to require street closings, can we maybe work that around, like, school vacation or something like that or see even if it can wait until, February vacation or something.” Gomes added that if Orchard Street must be closed, work should be staged so nearby businesses retain access from the alternate side of the road.

The council opened and closed public hearings for both petitions and adopted the orders allowing the conduit installations. Motions to receive, open the public hearings, and adopt the orders passed by voice vote; the record shows “the ayes have it” but no roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript.

Eversource told the council it expects to restore the sidewalks to their original condition or better and that it will provide a police detail where requested. The company also said it does not anticipate needing a police detail for the Wood Street work unless the council directs otherwise.

The council’s approvals allow the utility company to proceed with the two short sidewalk installations; the company and the council indicated they would coordinate detail requirements and scheduling to minimize disruption near the school and local businesses.

Votes and formal actions for these petitions are recorded in the council minutes and listed in the meeting packet.