Subcommittee to tackle double-pole bill

The Joint Committee on Utilities and Energy has formed a subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Kate Hogan, to develop recommendations for legislation to address the longstanding problem of doubled-up utility poles.

When a pole is damaged or has reached the end of its life, utility companies often attach the new one to some portion of the old one, creating a “double pole.”

The state developed a database of these poles several years ago, but, according to Bedford Town Manager Rick Reed, the database “is not properly managed or maintained” and “it has not addressed the need for individual utility companies to act in a timely manner.”

State law (M.G.L. Ch. 164, Sec. 34B) requires double poles to be removed within 90 days, but enforcement has been lax.

“Until the state government takes enforcement seriously,” Reed said, “the utility companies are going to continue to ignore the problem.”

In January, the legislative subcommittee held a series of hearings with legislators, municipalities, and utility companies to gather feedback on possible solutions. A number of municipal officials and employees testified, including Salem’s city engineer, David Knowlton.

“The city of Salem has long suffered from double poles,” he said. “Current data from the utility companies show that almost 200 have been in existence since 2009, and more than 80 since 2006. They are the number 1 priority for the many neighborhood groups in the city of Salem because they cause neighborhood blight, public safety concerns, and decreased property values, and the city has had little to no influence over removing them.”

The MMA is working with all stakeholders on a workable solution for cities and towns.