[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6101161,"mediaKeyId","2809851-0973a51c669ea7430542a769602e4923","parentId",2809851,"title","Council closes hearing on Comcast request for underground conduit to Woodland Drive; residents told DigSafe and inspections apply","audioSeconds",134,"startMs",908000,"endMs",1042000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2809851-0973a51c669ea7430542a769602e4923&start=908&end=1042","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2809851-0973a51c669ea7430542a769602e4923/thumbnail_908000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6101161/Massachusetts/Council-closes-hearing-on-Comcast-request-for-underground-conduit-to-Woodland-Drive-residents-told-DigSafe-and-inspections-apply","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101161-4078f863864fbd9375406eaca6dc5572/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177558&Signature=U-Z2kIYE5GUqeiVX8-PGskW1Sr0ofG-A5PodxlVUaztROJXqQPfJVkUvgr0BKIcNYYaBOFBNRFcXB8UWo9Tf39jq9ZCANJDFt9lkMLPjICz2gDoQ7m3YfpJFPozDcUgqKQ2aCGjyWBU3u6lINhl-MEotgOjq3Olz1f2PXJY1ZJdEIOMpdRpqvVV~gBQNA8~zezxQcDXe0y3VJ5raOR7VJtQhpocdVDR4ds9m5lWC~5iJVviHX5IZVYsqdPCKuMjy6nhEtTSwenLdXsHlivf5MzVeFCjSO-xbM5GQMsYiFaWOikbH2BlF-aRbh5LF2Vh7xq8BfcfTmS~SQGbtJ39pXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Northampton City, MA","date","2025-03-20T00:00:00Z","article","The City Council heard a Comcast petition March 20 to install underground conduit and related cable service to 130–140 Woodland Drive and closed the public hearing after company representatives and one councilor discussed construction and sidewalk protections.

The lede: Comcast said the work would provide residential service to two requested locations and would be constructed using standard utility procedures, including locating with DigSafe and following town permitting; councilors confirmed tree‑protection and state inspection requirements that apply to public‑way trenching.

Michael Miller, representing the petitioner, told the council Comcast had two requests for residential service tied to the petition: one for a Habitat for Humanity lot on Brooklyn Drive and the conduit to service 131–140 Woodland Drive, and a second request for service at 589 Park Hill Road. Miller described construction plans that include boring under a driveway and a “bullet that shoots through” under sidewalks to push cable without disturbing sidewalk slabs. He said the utility is required to do 30‑day and one‑year inspections on trenching carried out in a public way.

Councilor Mary Anne LaBarge, who said she conducted two site visits, asked specifically about sidewalk and curb restoration and tree protection. Miller and Comcast staff said they would coordinate DigSafe markings, that they expected to avoid significant sidewalk disruption by boring, and that any required tree protection would be restored if disturbed. A company representative said they would follow the town’s guidelines for planting and protect existing tree guards or reinstall them if work required their removal.

The council closed the hearing; the transcript records the public‑hearing opening and the roll‑call vote to close, but no final grant or denial of the petition appears in the record for March 20.

Clarifying details provided during the hearing: Comcast said all work will comply with DigSafe requirements and town permits and that state‑mandated 30‑day and one‑year inspections for public‑way trenching will be logged with the state. The company said the work will include standard cable attachments and boring under driveways where needed to reach transformer/equipment locations.

Next steps: Comcast will proceed with DigSafe and permitting processes required by the town; if the council or staff require additional documentation or a formal vote on the petition, that would be reflected in a future council action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Northampton City Council | March 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Comcast told the City Council March 20 that it planned to install underground conduit to bring residential cable service to 130–140 Woodland Drive and related addresses; the council closed the public hearing after company staff described construction methods, permitting and tree protection.","taxTitle","Northampton City, Hampshire County, Massachusetts","taxId",68541,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6101164,"City staff propose no change to FY2026 water and sewer rates; warn of long-term capital pressure",1123,3085000,4208000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2809851-0973a51c669ea7430542a769602e4923&start=3085&end=4208","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2809851-0973a51c669ea7430542a769602e4923/thumbnail_3085000.jpg","/articles/6101164/Massachusetts/City-staff-propose-no-change-to-FY2026-water-and-sewer-rates-warn-of-long-term-capital-pressure","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101164-363808847c3477fbacae61f92e43fbd6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177558&Signature=lsH6yq13pOlVKpoPwcB6dD3M29tlZBJCZwiTvYVN5Vhbp~KKu8kDH-ld6Vm5QgQtz~XjTAzYO1qi1drKgZTlwkSNiRkwhybEjn8mnu4RbuKbz5AkB7sI8ikPopdaLR~oYwhVdo67PBWAuw0TEQQv7eKLFFMK3lalQ9tT27Qwj4AHnrzJbn9csFfSrC5emHH~E3Dxm3PYMAtMtx3LLGnKK25l~cC61R3NBxickSuTvHnVCu~CBW54eRIxZS5fZ1XMx8jPWFun63gmmRDAUq6xYsaf4e~invrJdY9gH9AJCcd2xXfZRats6A2WldOnwUN8VO~cUgFC3YwrXCs9yojdkQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Donna LaScalia, the director of Public Works, presented the Northampton water and sewer enterprises’ FY2026 budget outlook and recommended no changes to usage or base rates for the coming fiscal year at a March 20 public hearing.

The nut of the presentation: the utilities are carrying major, multi‑year capital programs and higher debt service even as revenue from the city’s largest industrial customer has fallen sharply; LaScalia said staff set rates in 2023 to replace lost Coca‑Cola revenue and that the enterprises must now protect rate stability while funding aging infrastructure.

LaScalia said the city’s water system includes three surface reservoirs and a water treatment plant capable of more than 6 million gallons per day, and about 135 miles of distribution mains. She told the council that usage and flows have declined in the last two fiscal years largely because Coca‑Cola reduced operations; the plant historically produced roughly $1.5 million a year in revenue for the enterprises. The city’s 2023 rate adjustment shifted Coca‑Cola’s lost revenue into base charges; the director said that change increased the average residential water bill by about $128 annually and the sewer impact was roughly $115 per year for the average user.

LaScalia described recent unexpected receipts from Coca‑Cola after the company delayed its planned closure: $933,000 in FY2024 and about $461,000 year‑to‑date for the current fiscal year; she said projections for FY2026 assume approximately $300,000 from the plant but that the number is uncertain. The enterprises are “closed systems,” LaScalia said — all revenue must stay within water and sewer funds — and the city cannot rely on uncertain industrial receipts when building a balanced budget for DOR review.

Capital pressures were a central theme. LaScalia said the sewer enterprise is in the midst of a roughly $20 million upgrade at the wastewater plant following an earlier $12 million project; she summarized “nearly $30 million” in upgrades and noted a total list of projects that together exceed available budgets. She said that water and sewer have needed investments including transmission main repairs, dam work and lining old sewer pipe, and that recent water main failures — including a run of seven breaks between December and January — cost tens of thousands of dollars per repair.

LaScalia also reported the utilities’ stabilization balances: roughly $12.1 million for sewer and $2.4 million for water. She said those balances were built to smooth rate impacts as debt service rises but added the sewer debt service is increasing and may require transfers from stabilization to the operating budget in future years.

On policy, the director proposed no rate changes for FY2026 — both usage and base charges would remain at current levels. She also reminded residents of an income‑based exemption administered by the assessor’s office that can waive base charges for eligible households; applications are accepted year‑round and the assessor’s office can provide details.

Councilors pressed staff on program details and next steps. Councilor Moulton asked about the income exemption year referenced in the presentation; staff and the assessor’s office clarified the current eligibility year and that FY2026 guidance will be provided after July 1. Several councilors and the mayor asked about efforts to recruit new large water users for the Coca‑Cola site; the mayor said city and federal officials have worked with Coca‑Cola and that outreach to potential new users has been ongoing but complicated because the company’s plans have changed repeatedly.

Public commenters thanked utility staff for service and raised related operational issues: a restaurant owner described repeated fouling of grease and non‑disintegrating toilet paper that can wrap pumps; others asked about the apparent contradiction between conservation messages and the city’s need to replace industrial revenue.

Procedural outcome: after the hearing, Councilor Moulton moved and Councilor Clemmer seconded to close the hearing; the council voted to close the public hearing. The council later referred the FY2026 water and sewer rate order to the consent agenda for the April 3 meeting for final consideration.

Next steps: the administration will present the formal financial order on the April 3 consent agenda; councilors and staff will continue capital‑planning work and monitor Coca‑Cola’s remaining usage and any future revenue.","Donna LaScalia, director of Public Works, presented the Northampton water and sewer enterprises’ FY2026 outlook and recommended no changes to usage or base rates for the coming fiscal year.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6101166,"Council continues Park Hill pole petition after residents report fires, requests site visit",1618,1317000,2935000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2809851-0973a51c669ea7430542a769602e4923&start=1317&end=2935","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2809851-0973a51c669ea7430542a769602e4923/thumbnail_1317000.jpg","/articles/6101166/Massachusetts/Council-continues-Park-Hill-pole-petition-after-residents-report-fires-requests-site-visit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101166-93b98391eaff1674b356d1146a9ac5ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177558&Signature=FWsosnvsjvhmDAz56EwIPuhn5ivU22M0ZPMgqGwpjckCch41AwGyVS5o7v6Plm9l8lHwfJZMO1jjNmjWK37BJ0BEXrvYcXqrRfB1SNPdj-U4lECrQyJG5Fw8XC7kG7Nyg7HW~Uj2aqBXiuW0lUwGl47JJrpmN55GgrYegUX3rua4nED~Xh8syChEoSN6quB-gVE1R8PWnDAXwkoeVs9XmhZpAPw5YzGGAMIB1gUBGSHFHyyTsnN3iMTr0IcOgg9l2Qcy5D1W07QbaQdsAf~acXqd2TBzdXuB012wvaTk-~g3-eRoHTeudWikJ7vuXuFPuImV-ZtghN3qCLbjRfC4uQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council continued a March 20 public hearing on a National Grid/Verizon petition to set a new pole on Park Hill Road after residents described recurring safety problems and asked the utility to conduct a site visit.

The hearing matters because National Grid says the new pole would reduce an unusually long span of overhead wire that company engineers say increases risk of sagging, swinging and arcing in ice and wind; neighbors said the proposed location would sit near mailboxes, driveways and a house picture window and noted three fires on the local lines in the past two years.

Robert Ide, National Grid community engagement specialist for western Massachusetts, and a company engineer described the plan: the pole would be set “about 240 feet west of the center line of Whittier Street” and would be roughly 10 feet taller than adjacent poles, with “a significant amount of tree trimming” planned. Ide said locating the new pole under the existing wires is the “easiest, cheapest, simple construction” and avoids the more extensive cost and easement work required to move lines across the street.

Residents countered with safety and visual-impact concerns. Colleen George, who said she lives on Park Hill Road, told the council that “there have been 3 fires in the last 2 years,” that the line is close to homes, and asked the city and National Grid to perform a site visit so engineers could see the layout and the shorter as-the-crow-flies distance between existing poles. Another resident, who gave his name as Travis and said he lives at 95 Park Hill Road, said a proposed pole would be “directly in the view of that” house’s large window and questioned whether the existing steel support cable and a large oak tree could continue to support the line.

National Grid staff explained options and constraints. Laura Killeher, with National Grid’s third-party attachments team, said communications companies attach below the support cable and emphasized minimum road clearance standards. Ide said the company trims circuits on a five-year cycle and also runs a hazardous-tree mitigation program for specific failure risks; he urged residents to report potentially dangerous trees so forestry staff can assess them. He also said customers with life‑dependent equipment can register with National Grid to receive priority response in outages if they provide a physician’s note.

Councilor Mary Anne LaBarge, who represents the ward where the petition would affect neighbors, pressed for a site visit and said she had requested one earlier without response. Councilor Elkins formally moved to continue the hearing for two weeks; the council voted to continue the public hearing to April 3 at 6:30 p.m. and asked National Grid to coordinate a site visit that would include the petition’s abutters, the company’s engineers, Mayor (name not specified), and, if appropriate, representatives of the fire department and the city’s tree warden.

The council’s continuation leaves the petition unresolved. National Grid staff said the pole location can be tweaked left or right but moving it across the street could add cost and require easements. The company also said work would follow DigSafe and permitting processes and that trimming and other mitigation would be part of the installation plan.

Next steps: National Grid and city staff will arrange the requested site visit before the council’s April 3 meeting; the council will reconvene the hearing at the continued date.

Votes at a glance: Council voted to continue the public hearing to April 3 at 6:30 p.m. (roll-call majority).","National Grid told the City Council it plans to set a new utility pole on Park Hill Road to correct a long span of wire. Neighbors raised safety and visual-impact concerns, and the council continued the public hearing to April 3 and asked National Grid to schedule a site visit with residents, the mayor and city staff.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council closes hearing on Comcast request for underground conduit to Woodland Drive; residents told DigSafe and inspections apply

City staff propose no change to FY2026 water and sewer rates; warn of long-term capital pressure

Council continues Park Hill pole petition after residents report fires, requests site visit