NSTAR to Move Wires Underground on South St, Plymouth Rd.

A little over two weeks ago, a Plymouth Rd. resident raised concern over Verizon digging in the vicinity of his home after an accident took place several years back. With the Verizon work approved, though, NSTAR came in to seek its own approval for work and the controversy has apparently died down.

Speaking before the Board of Selectmen, NSTAR representative Maureen Kelly petitioned for work to be done on the road at pole number 102/15. Approximately nine feet of conduit would be installed in a process that is relocating overhead wires underground at 104 Plymouth.

When Verizon came into Needham on June 8 to petition for work in the same location, abutter Frank McKernan raised concern with digging in the neighborhood.

"Verizon put in the pole, exceeded the proper depth and struck a drain pipe," McKernan said at the time of his previous experience, charging that Verizon did not properly vet the property before work was conducted. "It blew water into my house and I don't want a repeat occurrence."

Verizon's work was approved at the meeting with the provision that safeguards be put in place to prevent a similar accident. McKernan was not on hand for NSTAR's meeting with selectmen, nor were any other abutters.

"This petition is a compliment to the last (Verizon) hearing," Town Manager Kate Fitzpatrick said of NSTAR's request.

Kelly's petition passed unanimously, as did a petition to do the same kind of work at 1316 South St. (pole 12/149). No start date has yet been established for either site.