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Residents ask Charlemont Selectboard to halt National Grid plan to replace poles on Avery Brook Road
Summary
Residents from Avery Brook Road told the Selectboard July 15 they oppose National Grid’s plan to replace 25-foot single-phase poles with 45-foot three-phase poles, citing tree and easement impacts and a breakdown in communication; the board was told project plans will be available after July 23 and residents requested participation in pole hearings.
Residents from Avery Brook Road told the Charlemont Selectboard on July 15 they were concerned that National Grid plans to replace 25-foot single-phase poles with taller 45-foot three-phase poles along Avery Brook Road and add additional poles.
Jonathan Mirin, Wendell Rheinheimer and Michael Suter appeared before the board to describe what they said was a recent notice about the work and to ask the town to help ensure residents have a voice in any pole hearings. They raised potential impacts to trees and noted that utility work must remain within recorded easements, and they said they had experienced a communication gap with the utility’s project team.
Administrator Sarah Reynolds told the board a prior Selectboard had asked for three-phase power at the McCloud property when a solar array was discussed, but she said the current installation may not be the result of that earlier request. She also told residents that project plans would be made available after July 23 and that the engineer named in town records, Riordan Hoffman, had not been responsive since March.
The residents asked the Selectboard to support resident participation in upcoming pole hearings and to press the utility for clearer project information. The board did not take a formal vote on a course of action at the July 15 meeting but agreed to check for an update after July 23 and to keep residents informed about opportunities to participate in hearings and review plans.
Next steps: the Selectboard will follow up after July 23 when plans are expected to be posted; residents requested notice and inclusion in any pole hearings or project meetings.
