City council approves short National Grid conduit permit, moves to press company on River Green Walkway

The Everett City Council voted unanimously to grant a National Grid petition to install approximately 6 feet of PVC conduit adjacent to 373–375 Broadway and later directed staff to press the utility to complete waterfront access under Chapter 91.

At the Jan. 22 meeting the council heard from John Jankowski of Malden, who said, “National Grid is, proposing to install approximately 6 feet of 1 4 inch PVC conduit … The road itself will not be disturbed. The manhole is in the sidewalk itself, so the road will not be disturbed.” After brief questions from council members about timing and whether the sidewalk would be cut, the council opened and closed the public hearing with no speakers and approved the petition by roll call (10–0).

Later in the agenda Councilor Katie Rogers raised a separate, broader concern about National Grid’s obligations along the city’s riverfront. Rogers urged the council to draft a letter and invite a National Grid representative and the assistant city solicitor to the Feb. 12 meeting to discuss compliance with Chapter 91, asserting that, “National Grid has failed to fulfill their legally mandated obligation to the city of Everett under chapter 91.” The motion to draft a letter and invite company representatives passed by voice vote.

Why it matters: Chapter 91 obligations can require waterfront owners who alter property to provide public access; Councilor Rogers framed the issue as one of public access and equity for Everett residents relative to neighboring municipalities. The recent petition on Broadway is a separate, limited underground-conduit request; the council’s direction to engage National Grid on Chapter 91 addresses longer-standing waterfront access and pathway completion concerns.

What’s next: The council asked staff to draft a letter to National Grid and to invite the company and the city solicitor to the Feb. 12 meeting. The Feb. 12 meeting is expected to include a discussion of both the River Green Walkway concerns and street-lighting matters involving National Grid.