Council tables National Grid pole petition for further study

The Leominster City Council put Petition 27-26 on hold after a subcommittee and later the full council concluded the utility’s outreach to affected residents had been insufficient. The petition, filed by Massachusetts Electric Company d/b/a National Grid and Verizon New England, sought permission to erect and maintain poles and related fixtures on Pleasant Street.

Chair of the Public Service Committee opened the item and summarized the petition, including the plan number (31199528) and the proposed push brace for Pole 70. Committee members discussed procedural options after National Grid representatives said they had not provided updated constituent contact information: give the company leave to withdraw without prejudice so it can refile later, or table the petition so it stays on the docket and can be acted on more quickly once new information arrives. The committee ultimately recommended tabling the matter for study.

At the full council meeting the recommendation was presented and seconded. After members debated whether tabling or a withdrawal better served residents’ interests and the timetable for reconsideration, the council voted to table Petition 27-26 for further study. The vote on the council floor was recorded as 8–1 in favor of tabling.

The council did not take a final substantive vote on the pole installation; tabling preserves the petition on the council’s calendar and allows National Grid time to update constituent outreach and, if needed, to refile an amended petition. The chair said the petition will be revisited once the petitioner provides the missing information.

The petition was originally presented to the Public Service subcommittee where the concerns about constituent notification and plan details were raised. No construction or installation work may proceed under the council’s action; any future hearing will be scheduled after the petitioner provides the requested updates.