Resident urges Hartford to fix dangling utility poles he says endanger children
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Summary
A longtime Hartford resident told the City Council that partially replaced utility poles—left with broken splinters and dangling attachments after Eversource’s work—have persisted for years and pose a physical hazard; he provided photos of three locations and the council asked him to submit them electronically for follow‑up.
Bill Katz, a Hartford resident, told the City Council during public comment that multiple utility poles near his Southwest Hartford neighborhood remain partially broken or have dangling pieces that he characterized as a safety hazard to children. Katz said he sent letters and photos to council members showing three specific locations: the corner of Lynnmore Street and Maple Avenue; Hillside Avenue near White Street; and Summit Street across from Trinity College.
Katz described the current repair process he observed as bifurcated: Eversource replaces a damaged pole and transfers electrical service but, he said, cable and telephone companies often do not finish removing old attachments. "These things remain unfinished, untended, and it's a danger," Katz said, adding that he had photographed the sites and would provide copies to the council. "They are very much a danger to children that are playing around there."
The council president asked Katz to send the images electronically so staff can follow up. Katz said he would do so and that he had additional photo sets he had not brought to the meeting.
There was no formal council action during public comment. The remarks put the issue on the council's radar and prompted staff to request the resident's photographic evidence for further review.