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Builder alleges arbitrary denial for underground electric service; town staff cite process and easement limits
Summary
A Wakefield builder raised a public complaint Aug. 13 after the town declined to process an application to install private underground electric service under a town road. Public Services Director Rich Bourbonet and the town manager said single-house underground runs are typically accepted only in planned developments and require licensed contractor insurance and a council-granted easement; the solicitor said the council cannot act until staff approvals occur.
Builder Thomas Edwin Northup Jr., a long-time South Kingstown resident, used public comment time at the Aug. 13 meeting to press the council about the towns handling of an application for underground electric service to a private residence on Prospect Road. Northup said his contractor was told the town would not process the application without additional insurance and that the permit was effectively denied after months of delay, adding out-of-pocket costs and frustration.
Public Services Director Rich Bourbonet explained the towns standard approach: planned residential developments with an engineered conduit system are processed with National Grid and marked for installation; single-house underground runs that cross the town right-of-way create different risks because electric lines under the road are not part of a reviewed underground network. He said contractors working in the town right-of-way must be licensed, provide insurance naming the town as additional insured and post a $3,000 bond (or check) as a standard condition of licensing; those requirements support safe work in roadways and protect the town from damage and liability.
Bourbonet said he cannot grant the easement across town property required for an underground line and therefore declined to process the application to completion; he said his office issued a denial after discussing the situation several times and waiting on a completed application. The town manager confirmed staff reviewed the site and supported Bourbonets assessment. Town Solicitor Mike Gersillo told the council that while only the council can grant easements, the directors decision must come first; he said that after staff approvals the council could act, and the applicant could bring administrative or judicial remedies if he chose.
Northup said he had paid roughly $400 and other costs to pursue the application and disputed staffs account of communications and timing. Council members reiterated that the council cannot intervene until staff and solicitor processes are complete; they suggested the applicant pursue the town-manager review or, if necessary, judicial appeal. The council voted to add the matter to administrative follow-up (staff to advise on process), but did not take a substantive vote to grant an easement at the Aug. 13 meeting.
