Acushnet Board Delays Decision on Utility Pole Amid Resident Concerns
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Meeting Type:
City Council
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Meeting Date:
08/06/2024
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Recording Published:
08/06/2024
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Duration:
17 Minutes
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State:
Massachusetts
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County:
Bristol County
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Towns:
Acushnet
- Meeting Overview:
In a recent meeting, the Acushnet Board of Selectmen chose to delay a decision regarding the installation of a new utility pole on Middle Road, following concerns from a local resident and broader issues with the town’s existing utility infrastructure.
The primary focus of the meeting was a petition from Verizon New England Inc. and NSTAR Electric Company, doing business as Eversource Energy, to install a new midspan pole on Middle Road. The proposed installation aimed to support an existing pole line and maintain the wire at a safe height over the driveway of the property on Middle Road.
However, a board member, after visiting the site and discussing with the property owner, revealed that the resident on Middle Road was unaware of any past issues with the current setup and opposed the installation. The resident suggested that the current wiring, which had been in place for 50 years, posed no problems. The board member echoed this sentiment, questioning why the installation was suddenly deemed necessary.
Further complicating the matter, it was revealed that the town had not been adequately informed about the broader infrastructure upgrades taking place, which included multiple pole replacements. The board expressed frustration over the lack of communication from utility companies and emphasized the need for a plan before approving any more pole installations. They highlighted ongoing safety issues with existing double poles and leaning poles throughout the town, calling for a meeting with utility representatives to address these concerns.
The decision was postponed until September 17th at 5:00 p.m., aligning the discussion with other pending petitions.
In other business, the board briefly informed the public about a water main break on Westland Street. The Department of Public Works was addressing the issue, and residents were assured that updates had been communicated through reverse 911 and social media channels.
James Kelley
City Council Officials:
Kevin A. Gaspar, Sr., Robert Hinckley, David Wojnar
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Meeting Type:
City Council
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Committee:
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Meeting Date:
08/06/2024
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Recording Published:
08/06/2024
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Duration:
17 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
Massachusetts
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County:
Bristol County
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Towns:
Acushnet
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