Malden council tables Floral Avenue pole petition after residents and council ask for engineering analysis

The Malden City Council voted Wednesday to table a National Grid petition to install a new pole on Floral Avenue after residents and councilors asked for further engineering analysis and alternatives to adding an additional pole. The petition (paper 285-26) would have installed pole P4799-84 and associated guy wires near 88 Floral Avenue.

An email read into the record from Maria Diaz Esposito said most poles on Floral Avenue are on one side of the street and questioned whether a new pole directly across the street was necessary; the email recommended repairing or replacing the existing deteriorated pole rather than adding a new pole. Maria (who also appeared in person and was listed in the record later as Maria Desposito) told the council the existing pole feeds only one house and expressed concern about the visual impact and necessity of the proposed work.

Councilors asked National Grid and city engineers whether a formal pole analysis could justify the new guy wire, noting other utilities sometimes provide calculations to show loads and pull. “We could make those conditions,” one councilor said, referencing prior occasions where aerial work included formal calculations. Following discussion, Councilor Taylor moved to table the petition pending further investigation; Councilor Winslow seconded and the motion carried.

Council members asked National Grid to return with more detailed technical justification, pole numbers or corner-street identifiers so the city engineer can review the specific locations. No final decision on the petition was made; the item was left pending further information.