Executive Summary
The Licenses and Permits Committee met on May 13, 2026, to consider a grant of location request from Eversource for conduit installation on Kent Street and Somerville Avenue. The primary discussion centered on safety concerns regarding a leaning utility pole at the intersection of the project site. The committee voted unanimously to recommend approval of the grant of location, contingent upon the repair or replacement of the leaning pole (191/0). Additionally, the committee approved the minutes from the April 8, 2026, meeting.
Meeting Information
- Governing Body: Licenses and Permits Committee of the Somerville City Council
- Meeting Date: May 13, 2026
- Meeting Type: Remote Participation Committee Meeting
- Committee Members Present:
- Chair Emily Hardt
- Councilor Lance Davis
- Councilor Ben Wheeler
- Staff Present: Clerk Michael Pottier
Approval of Minutes
- Item: Minutes of the committee meeting held on April 8, 2026.
- Action: The minutes were laid on the table at the start of the meeting and approved during the final roll call vote.
- Vote Outcome: Approved 3-0 (Roll call: Councilor Davis-Yes, Councilor Wheeler-Yes, Chair Hardt-Yes).
Grant of Location - Item 26-05, 25 (Eversource)
- Description: Eversource application for a grant of location to install 318 feet of conduit in Kent Street and Somerville Avenue from existing manhole 14831 to a point of pickup at 22 Kent Street, and an additional conduit from manhole 14831 to an existing manhole 8634.
- Discussion Summary:
- Jackie Duffy, representing Eversource, addressed concerns previously raised regarding double poles. She clarified that while no double poles exist at the specific site, pole 191/0 at the corner of Kent Street and Somerville Avenue is "dangerously leaning."
- Ms. Duffy stated: "the closest pole to [Somerville Avenue] directly adjacent to the GOL site are dangerously leaning. So I went back to the division and they're working on getting those poles replaced."
- Chair Hardt and Councilor Wheeler discussed the broader issue of double poles in the neighborhood, specifically at Ivaloo and Harrison Streets, noting that safety inspections had been previously requested for those locations.
- Official Action: The committee moved to condition the grant of location on the repair of the leaning pole.
- Vote on Condition: "Conditioning the grant on repairing pole 191/0 at the corner of Somerville and Kent."
- Councilor Davis: Yes
- Councilor Wheeler: Yes
- Chair Hardt: Yes
- Result: Condition approved 3-0.
- Vote on Main Item (As Conditioned):
- Councilor Davis: Yes
- Councilor Wheeler: Yes
- Chair Hardt: Yes
- Result: Item recommended for approval 3-0.
Adjournment
- Action: The committee voted to approve the minutes and adjourn simultaneously.
- Vote Outcome: Approved 3-0 (Roll call: Councilor Davis-Yes, Councilor Wheeler-Yes, Chair Hardt-Yes).
- Adjournment Time: Meeting adjourned following the final vote.