Select Board approves National Grid petition for intermediate pole on Hazel Street

The Town of Uxbridge Select Board voted unanimously to approve a joint utility‑pole petition from National Grid and Verizon to install an intermediate pole on Hazel Street.

The petition, described at the public hearing by Michael Frasier of National Grid, would add “intermediate pole 11‑50 between the existing poles 11 and 12 on Hazel Street” to shorten the span and allow safe connection to a nearby cell tower, Frasier said. Town members characterized the request as routine and necessary because of the span length.

Board members asked whether the pole would affect sidewalks or pedestrian plowing. Frasier said the new pole would be placed in line with existing poles and offered to follow up in person with the town to confirm locations and to address concerns about longstanding “double poles” in town. “I can come down tomorrow, grab a list of any particular ones, and I’ll reach out to my boss and see what he can get going on,” Frasier said.

After discussion about sightlines and double‑pole removal efforts, a member moved to approve the petition; the board carried the motion on a roll‑call vote. The board recorded the action as unanimous.

The next administrative step is coordination between National Grid, Verizon and town staff to finalize siting details and to address any double‑pole removals or sidewalk impacts identified in the field visits. Michael Frasier offered to return to town staff to review a list of known double‑pole locations and try to address them, and the town manager said staff will follow up to expedite any needed adjustments.