Hanover Select Board Delays Utility Pole Installation Approval

Schematic discrepancies and residents' concerns prompt request for updated information from National Grid and Verizon

HANOVER, MA - August 8 - The Hanover Select Board has postponed approval of a National Grid and Verizon utility pole installation on Broadway, citing inconsistencies in the provided schematic and petition wording. The decision came during a continuation of the July 15 public hearing, where residents expressed concerns about the exact locations of the proposed poles.

Board Chair Vanessa O'Connor reopened the hearing, expecting to have resolved issues from the previous meeting. However, it quickly became apparent that discrepancies remained.

Resident Tricia Gagan pointed out inaccuracies in the schematic, stating, "It looks like it's more aligned with the other side of our driveway, right? As opposed to where it's supposed to be." Gagan added that the stake in the ground indicating the pole's location did not match the drawing.

The petition's wording also lacked clarity regarding the intersection where the poles would be installed. "In the original notice that went out, it stated the intersection of Broadway and Winter Street, and that's what led to our concern," Gagan explained. "But then National Grid then said, no, it's at the other end. It's more the intersection of Broadway and Center."

O'Connor stated, "I think we want to get it right," and requested that town staff reach out to National Grid representative Aaron Bork for clarifications.

Janet Tierney, Hanover’s Director of Public Affairs, Licensing, and Insurances, informed the board that she had previously contacted National Grid about the schematic. "They said that they were, it's the same schematic. So it's basically the same schematic that they gave before. They did not furnish an updated schematic," she reported.

The board decided to recess the hearing until a future meeting, pending receipt of the requested updates. O'Connor emphasized the importance of accuracy, saying, "I know it seems small, probably to National Grid, but I mean, for the homeowner, I would imagine that that could be a significant change."

In other business, the board approved the draft warrant for the 2024 state primary election, scheduled for Sept. 3, 2024, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Hanover High School. Town Clerk Kathy Harder-Bernier presented the warrant, describing it as "the traditional warrant approval."