Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Pecks Road Poles topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves Eversource/Verizon pole relocations for Pecks Road bridge project after debate over maps (10–1)
Summary
After residents and councilors raised concerns about illegible maps and exact pole locations, the council voted 10–1 to approve a petition by Eversource and Verizon to install and relocate poles needed for the Pecks Road bridge replacement; staff said the work is critical to the demolition schedule and crane placement.
The Pittsfield City Council voted 10–1 on Aug. 13 to approve a petition from Eversource and Verizon to install one new Class 2 pole, relocate two existing poles and set two anchor poles along Pecks Road to facilitate the Pecks Road bridge replacement.
The public hearing drew one resident who said the mailed notice did not clearly show where a pole would be placed adjacent to his property at 169/173 Pecks Road. Nicole Scarborough, an Eversource representative, told the council one pole would be at the corner of Anoda Street and Pecks Road and that other poles would be placed on the south side of the road. City staff said a legible map was included in the packet and explained the pole moves are necessary to allow crane access for a demolition sequence that became a single, full‑demolition plan after the state closed the bridge for safety reasons.
Several councilors criticized the legibility of the packet map and said they could not approve changes without clear plans; some urged tabling the petition. Others said delaying the pole moves would slow the bridge work and push crane access later in the schedule. The commissioner said moving the poles was always part of the project but became part of the critical path when the demolition plan changed.
Councilor Persip recorded an explicit 'no' vote during discussion; the clerk announced the final tally as 10 in favor, 1 opposed. Supporters said the pole relocations are needed to avoid additional delays to the bridge replacement; opponents and concerned councilors asked the administration to ensure clearer maps and better pre‑meeting distribution of legible materials in future filings.
Next steps: With the council’s approval, Eversource and Verizon may proceed with the pole work required for the Pecks Road bridge reconstruction. Council members asked staff to improve map legibility on future utility petitions and promised closer review of packets that affect residents’ properties.
