Board approves packages of street-privilege permits from Excel, Charter and others; staff details restoration expectations

The Board approved several groups of street-privilege permits from utilities, taking unanimous-consent votes to clear packages from Excel Energy and Charter Communications and approving additional individual requests from Bridal Speed of Wisconsin LLC, MetroNet LLC, Wynne LLC/Wisconsin Independent Networks and Brightspeed of Wisconsin.

Director Gallagher explained the purpose of the street-privilege permit process: it serves as a design review to identify conflicts with existing infrastructure and to document the utility’s request to work in the right-of-way. He said utilities that work in the right-of-way are responsible for “replacing in kind” any boulevards, curbs, gutters, sidewalks or private-property restoration within an easement. Gallagher said street department and engineering staff check restoration throughout the summer and follow up on complaints.

Board members asked that permit paperwork be clearer about contingency and accounting on change orders earlier in the meeting; the permits themselves were approved without discussion. Representatives of utilities were present for questions but did not speak beyond acknowledging presence. The board approved the permit packages and individual items by unanimous consent.