Select Board approves pole relocations for bridge project after abutter questions; approval contingent on updated MassDOT plan

The Lee Select Board on July 27 approved petitions from NSTAR Electric Company (doing business as Eversource Energy) and Verizon New England Inc. to relocate and place jointly owned utility poles as part of MassDOT's Mill Street and Washington Mountain Road bridge replacement project (job number 607677). The board recorded the Mill Street approval as contingent on receipt of an updated MassDOT plan to clarify minor discrepancies between MassDOT and Verizon field measurements.

Don Bonner, representing Verizon, described the Mill Street petition as one that places two new poles and relocates two existing poles to accommodate crane placement and bridge construction. "The 2 poles are just moving out slightly," Bonner said, and he explained that MassDOT's engineered plan governs final stake placement. Abutter Claire said she had not received adequate written notice from the town and asked the board to restart that portion of the hearing to allow neighbors to attend; the board agreed to restart the hearing segment and later proceeded after providing updated plans.

MassDOT's representative, Christine, and bridge engineer Jeff Lewis showed a utility plan and explained that temporary line relocations during construction would be followed by a permanent alignment parallel to the roadway. "The proposed poles are being moved to the opposite side of our abutters' property for constructability purposes so that we can get the crane in there," Christine said. Jeff Lewis added that "once all the bridge work is complete, the lines will be moved... to the permanent location adjacent to the roadway."

Concerns from residents included whether lines would cross private property, the amount of additional tree clearing needed and whether a pole site was undermined by erosion. MassDOT and Verizon representatives repeatedly stated the utility lines would remain within the public right-of-way and that prior clearing for the bridge reduced the need for additional tree removal; MassDOT's plan on the record was required to confirm exact placements.

Board members moved to approve the Mill Street petition with the supplemental condition that the updated MassDOT plan be included in the town record; that motion passed. The board also voted to approve the Washington Mountain Road petition, which moves a single pole roughly 40 feet closer to the intersection so wiring remains in the right-of-way and avoids crossing private property; that motion passed unanimously as well.

Next steps: the board's approvals allow Eversource and Verizon to proceed with permitting steps for the MassDOT project, subject to the plan and any follow-ups from the town or affected abutters. Residents were encouraged to contact town staff for follow-up and to review the posted plans that are part of the public record.