North Royalton introduced new CEI representative; official offers help resolving pole-ownership disputes

Mayor Larry Antoskiewicz introduced Nick Katsaros, the new CEI (FirstEnergy) representative for the city, at the Sept. 2 Utilities Committee meeting. Katsaros said he has been with the company for 15 years and in his current role for seven, and that he will serve as the city's contact for CEI-related issues.

Katsaros explained that not all utility poles are owned by CEI and that joint-use agreements sometimes assign ownership to telephone or cable companies. "CEI doesn—are for poles it does not own; some of them are owned by the phone company," he said, and added that the mayor's office and utility partners typically exchange photos and addresses to verify ownership and coordinate repairs. Councilmember John Nickell described a recent case on Hawley Drive where residents called for two months and CEI initially said the pole was not theirs. Katsaros asked council to provide pole numbers or addresses so he can circulate a joint-use inquiry to partners and, if appropriate, request removal of old poles after transfers are completed.

Katsaros said CEI serves as a resource and will supply contact information and follow up on reports sent by the mayor's office.