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Sleepy Hollow board reviews Metronet easement shift after proposed line found in ravine
Summary
Trustees discussed proposed utility easement changes tied to Metronet/T‑Mobile fiber routing through Sleepy Hollow, agreed to route changes that avoid a deep ravine and to vet a revised plan through public works, engineering and legal review. Residents raised concerns about buried pet fences and utility flags.
The Sleepy Hollow Village Board discussed and directed further review of proposed Metronet (T‑Mobile) fiber routing after engineers found the originally planned line crossed a deep ravine and was "not workable," the board heard at its meeting.
President Bo, recapping a site visit with Metronet, said the company’s field engineer concluded the initial route would not work. "Once I had Tim Gregory and he saw that where they're proposing a line was in a very deep ravine, he realized that it was ... it was not workable," the president said. Metronet submitted a proposed shift to front‑ yard utility easements and staff said the change must go through public works, engineering and legal before the board votes on a new easement.
Several trustees noted the adjusted easement could be substantially wider in places and that engineered surveying will be required. Staff told trustees that previously placed white flag markers used to indicate locating points could become moot once Metronet re‑plots the line. Director Killinger cautioned that if the line is moved the earlier flagging may no longer reflect the final easement and recommended leaving reference flags until surveyors confirm the final alignment.
During public comment, resident John Florence described a recent installation: "They had come in and laid my uh fiber cable. They had trenched it and I know they trenched it because I could see the tracks from the trenching machine," he said, and asked village staff how buried invisible pet fences should be marked to avoid damage during trenching. Trustees asked staff to provide a clear protocol for residents to mark shallow buried fences and to post guidance on the village website and Facebook page.
Trustees said the board will not approve a revised easement without public‑works and engineering sign‑off. Staff estimated the revised easement — and any related ordinance or formal easement document — would be brought to the board for a vote after engineering review; a possible target date mentioned for that agenda slot was the May 4 meeting. The board did not take a final vote on the easement at the meeting.
The discussion also flagged the need for better resident communication about temporary locating flags and the village’s plan to post updates once the Metronet alignment is finalized.
