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Select Board approves National Grid petition to replace two poles with one on Bartlett Street
Summary
The Northborough Select Board voted unanimously to approve National Grid’s petition to remove two existing utility poles (one damaged) and install a single jointly owned pole labeled 61-50 on town property near Cedar Hill Street and Hayes Memorial Drive; National Grid will bear costs and restore old pole holes.
The Northborough Select Board voted to approve a petition from Massachusetts Electric Company (doing business as National Grid) and Verizon New England to remove two existing poles and install a single new pole (61-50) on Bartlett Street on town property near the Cedar Hill Street and Hayes Memorial Drive intersection. Josh Van Houten, the town’s assistant director of public relations, presented National Grid’s sketch and said the company intends to remove the damaged pole in Marlborough, eliminate one pole located in Northborough (Pole 61), and replace them with one 50-foot pole located in Northborough.
Why it matters: The company told the board the change will not require additional guy wires or structural supports and that National Grid will pay for the work and restore the old pole holes. Board members pressed for details about pole height, future damaged-pole hotspots, and whether the work changes the town’s liability or maintenance obligations.
The board asked whether the new pole is the same height and whether the old holes would be filled and made safe; Van Houten confirmed the new pole is a 50-foot pole and that National Grid will fill and secure the old holes. He also said the damaged pole had likely been struck by a vehicle in Marlborough and that the relocation is intended to move it slightly farther from a driveway at 6 Hayes Memorial Drive. Van Houten said there had been no public complaints or opposition submitted to the town on the petition.
Board action and vote: A board member moved to close the public hearing for poll petition number 31293397 and then moved to approve the installation as requested. The board conducted a roll-call vote and recorded unanimous approval.
Next steps: National Grid will schedule the work, restore the site, and proceed under applicable permits and town requirements. Town staff said they will follow up with National Grid and the DPW on another frequently damaged pole in town (near Church Street) to explore protective fixtures or other remedies.
Attribution: Josh Van Houten, assistant director of public relations, presented the petition. The board’s motion and roll-call votes were recorded during the public hearing.
