Council rejects National Grid petition for underground conduit at 52 School Street

The Everett City Council voted against a petition from National Grid to install about 110 feet of 24-inch conduit from pole 1122‑0 to private property at 52 School Street, citing questions about who would restore sidewalk and curb after trenching.

Rafael Cregelen, who identified himself as representing National Grid, told the council the installation would serve a new apartment building and said a National Grid civil contractor would perform the civil work in this instance and that the utility work itself would take three to four days. He said scheduling typically requires two to four weeks once the council grants permission.

Councilors pressed the petitioner on whether trenching would occur in the sidewalk or the roadway and who would make permanent repairs. Councilor Petroneo pressed for the property owner to appear with future permit requests, arguing the council should not approve permits when private owners are not present to confirm who will complete permanent restorations.

Several councilors voiced broader concerns about prior National Grid jobs in town where sidewalk repairs were temporarily covered with asphalt and not promptly replaced with concrete. That history shaped votes and public comments during debate.

On the roll-call vote, the council split evenly and the motion for favorable action failed. Councilors who voted no cited the city’s prior experience with incomplete restorations and the need for clearer assurances and follow-up from the utility and its contractors.

With the petition denied, National Grid will need to return, with clearer commitments about permanent sidewalk repair and responsible contractors, if it elects to refile the request.