The Southborough Select Board on Jan. 6 approved a petition from Mass Electric Company / National Grid to install a joint-owned utility pole on Lovers Lane.

Jeff Silva, a National Grid representative from the Hopedale office, told the board the proposal is for one new pole "in between Pole 8 and Pole 9" to support infrastructure for a statewide metering system rollout. "We're putting in 1 pole 1 pole," Silva said, explaining the work supports new metering equipment and that some existing poles carry too much equipment.

Board members asked whether a future sidewalk installation on Lovers Lane would require moving the pole. Silva responded that the new pole "will be in line with the ones that are adjacent to it" and that if poles must be moved later, multiple poles typically would be relocated together; "It wouldn't if one's in the way, they're all in the way," he said.

Following public discussion, Speaker 2 moved to close the hearing and then moved to approve the pole placement application; both motions were seconded and carried by voice vote. The transcript records no roll-call tally for the vote.

The approval authorizes National Grid to proceed with permitting and field work necessary to install the new pole on Lovers Lane; the transcript does not list construction start dates or permit conditions.