Malden council approves National Grid petition to install underground conduits on Charles Street

The Malden City Council voted to grant National Grid permission to install two 4-inch underground conduits beginning at Pole 5441 on Charles Street, with conditions requiring the company to call an engineer when DigSafe is notified and to restore streets and sidewalks to the satisfaction of the director of public works.

National Grid electrical designer Anna Sasha told the council the customer plans to install a pad on private property and requested that the service run underground along the adjacent sidewalk. Sasha identified the pole number and said the petition was for conduits and the "digging right by the pole." The petition and diagrams were included in the meeting agenda.

The council opened a public hearing and received no written or in-person comments in favor or opposition. Councilor Jay Crow moved to grant the petition; Councilor Winslow seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Councilors noted the restoration condition was intended to ensure full cemented sidewalk repair rather than temporary patching.

The action allows the utility work to proceed on public property subject to the stated conditions. The council did not receive substantive opposition during the hearing, and no additional permits or variances beyond the conditions were discussed.