March 11, 2026

Items Recommended for Full Council

Eversource Grant of Location, 38 Ivaloo Street – Recommended 3-0 (with condition)

The committee recommended approval of Eversource's application to install 62 feet of conduit on Ivaloo Street, conditioned on Eversource conducting a formal evaluation of all poles and lines on the street and submitting a written report of their findings. The condition was also approved 3-0.

This item had been held in committee since February due to concerns raised by a resident about two double poles, hanging wires, and the general poor condition of utility infrastructure on Ivaloo Street. Eversource representative Jackie Duffy reported that on the two double poles, RCN is next in line to transfer its wires on one pole, and Verizon on the other — both must move before old poles can be removed. She also confirmed that the low-hanging wires running through a tree are communications lines belonging to RCN and Comcast, not Eversource.

Committee Discussion

Resident's Six-Year Struggle with Utility Maintenance

Resident Chris Dewan (26 Ivaloo Street) described requesting action from Eversource since January 2020, when power lines were sparking and smoking against mature trees. He said he received a verbal commitment that the issue would be addressed, but it was not, and the trees subsequently died and had to be removed. He urged the committee to find ways to hold utilities accountable for timely maintenance.

Jackie Duffy acknowledged the history and took responsibility for the 2020 commitment going unfulfilled, saying she would escalate the matter again immediately. During the meeting, she texted Eversource's community relations contact to begin moving on the issues.

Systemic Double Pole and Abandoned Wire Problem

Councilor Davis provided historical context, noting the council has wrestled with double poles and abandoned wires for over a decade. He referenced a state law allowing the city to remove abandoned wires and charge the utility, though capacity and wire-ownership identification remain practical barriers. He described the NJUNS database that tracks double pole remediation across utilities and an established order of precedence (Eversource first, then cable, then Verizon) for transferring lines to new poles.

Councilor Wheeler raised a structural concern: the committee only engages with these issues when grants of location come before it, which may not align with where the worst problems are. He also noted that holding up a grant of location could inconvenience property owners without meaningfully pressuring large utilities.

Crafting the Condition

The committee debated how to condition approval. Chair Hardt initially considered requiring double pole removal before construction could start, but Councilor Davis cautioned that this would depend on third parties (RCN, Verizon) not party to the application, making enforcement impractical. Councilor Wheeler pushed for something specific and achievable rather than a vague "continued efforts" requirement. Dewan proposed asking Eversource to formally evaluate the street's infrastructure and assert in writing whether it is safe — and fix any safety issues identified. All parties, including Duffy, agreed this was reasonable, and it became the final condition.

Broader Resolution in the Works

Chair Hardt disclosed she is working with Councilor Scott on a resolution to address the double pole and abandoned wire problem more systemically, in coordination with the city's engineering and legal departments.

What's Next

• The conditioned Eversource grant of location goes to the full council for final approval

• Eversource will conduct a formal evaluation of poles and lines on Ivaloo Street and submit a written report

• Chair Hardt and Councilor Scott are developing a broader resolution on citywide utility pole and wire maintenance for future council consideration