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Resident urges Willard to address legacy telecom lines running through backyards
Summary
A resident told council that older copper lines wrapped with new fiber now run through private yards for several blocks, raising safety, easement and inspection concerns and urging the city to seek relocation or fees from the provider.
During the open comment period a Willard resident, Sharon Nillen, told the council that legacy copper cables that run through yards in parts of town were wrapped with new fiber and a steel sheath and now create perceived safety and property-rights issues for neighbors. Nillen said the lines are low on some properties (about 14 feet high on private lots) and that the pole infrastructure dates back many decades; she urged the council to require relocation to public easements, an option other towns have used, or to charge a franchise fee to providers.
She said the company doing the work is organized as an LLC, expressed concern about inspections and contractor sourcing, and referenced a change in federal rules that would allow multiple attachments on poles (which could enable providers to move lines to the public-facing side of poles). Councilors did not commit to a particular remedy at the meeting but said staff would look into easements, property-rights limits and whether the city could or should negotiate on behalf of residents.
