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Resident urges relocation of proposed utility pole; Select Board continues Ramshorn Road hearing
Summary
A Charlton resident urged the Select Board to move a proposed National Grid/Verizon pole off the outside of a dangerous curve on Ramshorn Road, citing repeated crashes; National Grid said redesign would add cost and delay. The board asked DPW to review and continued the hearing to March 24.
A resident argued that placing a proposed National Grid and Verizon pole on the outside of a sharp curve on Ramshorn Road would create a public‑safety hazard and asked the Select Board to reconsider the location; the board agreed to request further analysis and continued the public hearing to March 24, 2026.
Why it matters: The resident said accidents at the corner have repeatedly carried vehicles off the road and into the ditch, raising the risk that an exposed utility pole could be struck. The board must balance sight‑line and maintenance needs against construction cost and the utility’s standard design practices before approving a final pole location.
The resident, who identified himself as the former owner of a nearby lot, told the board that "several of those cars over the years have gone airborne, and have tumbled end over end," and urged the town and National Grid to consider placing the pole on the inside of the curve or farther from the roadway. The resident offered to submit a written sketch for an alternative location and asked the town to consult with National Grid and the property owner before work is scheduled.
Robert Williams, a National Grid representative who attended to present the petition, said the proposed location followed prior site meetings and the company’s design: "We agreed to have the pole put there... that's how it was determined to go." Williams said moving the pole would require redesign work, new service agreements and potentially an easement, and could increase costs for the customer.
Committee members pressed for a practical path forward. One committee member asked the DPW superintendent to review sight lines and feasibility; another requested an estimate of time and cost if National Grid were asked to revise the design. Andrew (staff member) said he would pass the resident’s written sketch to DPW and asked National Grid to remain available for follow‑up. The board told staff it expects a report and recommended options ahead of the March 24 meeting.
What happens next: The Select Board left the hearing open and continued the matter to the board’s March 24 meeting so town staff can coordinate with DPW and National Grid and present feasibility, cost, and scheduling information. No final permit or pole installation was approved at the meeting.
