Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Utility Permit topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
National Grid presents Broadway underground conduit plan; neighbors press for alternatives and guaranteed paving
Summary
National Grid presented a petition to install underground conduit and handholes on Broadway to serve a small development; neighbors raised concerns about repeated street work and asked for alternatives and a firm restoration commitment. Council referred the matter to the Committee on Public Services.
National Grid representatives described a petition (No. 311243444) seeking to install underground conduit and heavy-duty handholes on Broadway to provide a 600‑amp, 120/208V service for a new development. The company’s engineer said trenching in the roadway was the least‑cost and standard option, though routing under the grassy right‑of‑way or installing an overhead pole line (about six poles; estimated at roughly $250,000) were possible alternatives.
“One of the options will be like to bring an overhead pole line…and that will be almost like 750 feet of overhead three‑phase pole line…probably would cost like $250,000,” National Grid engineer Rafael Carigelen said.
Resident Tiffany Collins, who lives on Broadway, urged the council to insist on alternatives or stronger restoration terms: “Broadway’s been under construction for almost 10 years now. This is very, very disruptive, very loud, very dirty and…there has to be some other way to get this done,” she said. Collins asked whether work could be limited to the sidewalk or routed to avoid new trenching of recently restored pavement.
In response, National Grid said the owner (identified in the hearing as Mr. Greg) asked for the service and that the customer would be responsible for the civil work and restoration; Mr. Greg offered to restore pavement “curb to curb” for the sections disturbed and to coordinate on required permits and contractor licensing. Councilors pressed the applicant about routing under the grassy right‑of‑way, sidewalk impacts, and whether the plan should include explicit guaranteed paving language and a timeline for restoration.
After questions from Councilors Spang, Houseman and others, the council closed the public hearing and referred the petition to the Committee on Public Services for further review and any required permit conditions.
Next step: the Committee on Public Services will examine routing alternatives, contractor and restoration conditions, and whether the petition needs specific conditions to ensure timely curb‑to‑curb pavement replacement.
