Council continues Rhode Island Energy pole petitions after abutter‑notice concerns

The Newport City Council continued multiple petitions from Rhode Island Energy and Verizon seeking permission to install new utility poles after councilors raised concerns about whether abutters had been notified.

Staff presented a petition from Rhode Island Energy to install a new pole and anchor to upgrade electric service at 519 Bellevue Ave. The petition stated the work was to provide three‑phase power for an underground service and that the existing service location was insufficient for that load. The Deputy Manager said the petition was for a private residence and that engineering, police and fire departments had vetted the request prior to bringing it to the council.

Councilors, citing a recent neighborhood example on Corneille Street where residents said they received no notice of a similar utility installation, asked whether abutters near 519 Bellevue had been notified. Multiple councilors said neighbors should be afforded notice and that Rhode Island Energy should appear to explain the proposal.

A motion to continue the 519 Bellevue petition so staff could collect more information and afford notice to abutters passed. The council also continued a second group of Rhode Island Energy/Verizon petitions for new polls on Old Beach Road, Hillside Avenue and Lawrence Avenue for similar reasons; councilors representing the affected wards asked for more time to consult constituents.

City staff noted that, if the council were to deny such a petition, the utility could petition the state Public Utilities Commission, which has final jurisdiction over pole placements in many situations.

Outcome: council continued the petitions to a future meeting and asked staff to request Rhode Island Energy’s attendance and provide abutter‑notification details.