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Select Board approves Church Street pole support petition after DPW says new freestanding pole poses no driveway or sight-line hazard
Summary
The Northborough Select Board voted unanimously Nov. 17 to approve poll petition No. 31215213 to install a single freestanding utility pole on Church Street. The DPW recommended the pole to structurally support an existing leaning pole; the support wire will clear 20 feet above ground.
The Town of Northborough Select Board on Nov. 17 approved poll petition No. 31215213 to install a single freestanding pole on Church Street to help stabilize an existing leaning pole. Joshua Van Houten, assistant director of public works, told the board the new Poll 56-1 will sit between 237 and 243 Church Street and will be owned jointly by National Grid and Verizon.
Van Houten said the proposed support wire will be at least 20 feet above the ground and that the location will not intrude on driveways or sight lines for the nearby homes. “It doesn't create any issues related to driveway access or site distance,” he said.
Board members asked whether the neighbors needed notice and whether the addition would create a double-pole condition; Van Houten said the work is on public property, no easements are implicated, and the installation is a single pole linked across the street to the existing pole.
After closing the public hearing, the board voted to approve the petition. The motion to approve was made by John and seconded by Laura and carried on a roll-call vote recorded by the chair; officials indicated unanimous approval at the meeting.
The DPW representative offered to draft a memo to National Grid seeking follow-up on a nearby pole that has repeatedly been struck by vehicles. The board suggested coordinating with the town’s Traffic Safety Committee to strengthen any formal request.
