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Select Board approves National Grid petition to add pole on Summers Road
Summary
After a public hearing, the Hampden Select Board approved National Grid's petition to install a new utility pole (P15-1) and associated underground feed near Bayberry and Summers roads to upgrade the subdivision's aging electrical distribution and reduce outages.
HAMPDEN, Mass. ' The Select Board voted unanimously Dec. 8 to approve a single-owner petition from Massachusetts Electric Company (National Grid) to install a new pole and related underground distribution work at the intersection of Bayberry and Summers roads.
At a public hearing, National Grid representatives described the work as phase one of a larger project to replace an aging underground feed that supplies the Bayberry Colony subdivision. "I'm representing National Grid," said Michael Tetro, who attended the hearing to answer residents' questions. Engineers said the new supply point, identified as E15-1, would connect underground cable to improve reliability and reduce recurring outages.
Residents pressed for details about construction impacts and outage response. Several said they had experienced repeated outages in recent seasons and asked whether the utility would provide generators or extra notice for outages. "That's not something that National Grid normally does," Tetro said, adding that extended-outage coordination is handled by town representatives and larger customer-relations staff.
Engineers said much of the work will use trenchless drilling technology and that existing conduits and handholds will be used where possible; new handholds and transformer pads will be added in a small number of locations. Town staff said a separate, follow-up hearing will cover in-subdivision distribution upgrades and that abutters (estimated at 70 to 100 properties) will receive mailed notice.
Board members and town staff said they will review placement with the police and highway departments to reduce safety and drainage impacts and to ensure transformer pads and poles are sited clear of sight lines and town equipment. After questions were answered, a board member moved to approve the petition; a second followed and the board voted in favor.
The approval covers only the pole and adjoining tie-in; National Grid said scheduling for the broader underground work will follow permitting and internal scheduling processes. The board did not set firm construction dates at the meeting but said residents will be notified about timing and site-specific impacts ahead of work.
