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Residents press council for better notices on fiber and utility work; staff says DOT often begins work without advance town notice
Summary
Residents asked the council to require better notice and coordination for fiber‑optic and utility installations. Town staff said DOT and outside providers sometimes proceed without the town's knowledge and that monthly meetings with NCDOT have been scheduled to improve communication.
Residents asked the Town Council to improve advance notice and communications about utility work — particularly fiber‑optic installations — and the town’s process for accepting streets from the state.
Gail Mercurio, who identified herself as a 30‑year resident, requested consistent notifications to all residents when fiber or other utilities are installing infrastructure that affects lawns and streets, and asked whether the town’s agreements require service providers to install short, ground‑level pedestals or taller pillars. She said some neighborhoods already have pedestals that are “two foot pillars” and asked if Indian Trail‑owned streets received buried (flush) junction boxes.
Mayor and staff replies: Town Engineer Todd Hunsinger and other staff said the town does not always receive advance notification from NCDOT about encroachment agreements or work in DOT right-of-way; projects frequently begin before the town learns of them. Staff said they have started scheduling a monthly meeting with DOT to improve communications. On vertical pedestals, staff said the town’s policy does not allow vertical pedestals along town streets; town officials said Kinetic has committed to burying the boxes (flush junction boxes) where their work is within town jurisdiction, and Windstream’s work has not yet started in town limits.
Resident and HOA representatives reported Kinetic told their neighborhood the company will bury the pedestals. Council members said the town will press utility providers to coordinate and to limit above-ground infrastructure where possible, and staff noted differences in whether streets are DOT-owned or town-owned may affect notification processes and installation methods.
Separately, staff explained the town typically negotiates with DOT to take over streets after DOT resurfaces subdivision streets and following warranty expiration; the town has in recent years coordinated with DOT on resurfacing schedules and curb repairs before takeover, but takeover timing depends on DOT schedules and warranty periods.
