Council Approves National Grid Pole on Second Street After Brief Review

The Everett City Council on April 22 granted a petition from National Grid to install a new midspan pole (2163‑50) on Second Street and provide a permanent underground service to 337 Second Street.

Jose Luis Azerde, the petitioner, told the council the work is a customer‑driven project that will require only a short trench across the sidewalk and is expected to be a one‑day job. "We are requesting to install one new pole on Second Street… it’s going underground to the private property at 337 Second Street," Azerde said during his presentation.

Councilors asked about the exact location of the pole, which the clerk read as approximately 275 feet northeast of the Second Street–Boston Street intersection, and whether the sidewalk is concrete or asphalt. Azerde said the excavated area will be restored to its prior condition.

Councilor Rogers announced she would vote no on the measure, saying she has kept a standing objection to National Grid projects because of unresolved system problems: "I will be continuing voting no on National Grid pieces… there are many double poles as well as broken lights," she said. Councilor Nalcea Gabbin also opposed the petition, citing outstanding community concerns with National Grid.

On the roll call the petition passed, 8–3. The petitioner was instructed that the city will contact his office about next steps.

What happens next: National Grid and the city will coordinate scheduling and restoration requirements before construction begins; the council did not attach additional conditions to the approval. The council’s action grants the petitioner the authority necessary to proceed with the publicly noticed pole installation request.