Board hears utility petitions; continues major Sparks Avenue work to coordinate National Grid, Verizon and town fiber

The Select Board approved multiple routine utility petitions from National Grid — including road‑crossings where the company confirmed underground conduit would be encased in concrete and pedestrian areas restored with original brick where required — while delaying a large Verizon conduit and pole‑removal plan on Sparks Avenue so town fiber and coordination with National Grid can be resolved.

National Grid representative Tim Lifford told the board that road crossings (for example, the Cliff Road crossing) would be concrete encased. Staff and preservation commenters requested that where brick sidewalks are disturbed, the applicant restore brick to the original pattern and consult Public Works for brick sourcing; the board approved those petitions with those conditions.

A larger Verizon petition to install four‑in conduit along Sparks Avenue and remove two intermediate poles drew extended discussion and was continued. Town Chief Technology Officer Mike Alvarez told the board the poles carry town‑owned fiber that supports the schools and other town services. Alvarez asked that any pole removals or undergrounding preserve conduit space for the town and be coordinated so the schools’ connectivity is not disrupted. Town real‑estate and DPW staff warned that necessary vaults or handholes may not fit on existing sidewalks and that vault placement and costs should be addressed by the developer initiating the work.

Given the outstanding coordination with National Grid (which must also petition for related work), the Select Board continued the Verizon Sparks Avenue petition to its May 18 agenda and asked staff to obtain the National Grid petition so all parties can be present to finalize placement, encasement, and cost allocation. The board stressed that any costs to move or protect town infrastructure should be borne by the project proponent, not by the town.