Licenses and Permits Committee — Minutes, Dec 10, 2025

City of Somerville, Massachusetts City Council Licenses and Permits Committee Meeting Minutes 6:00 PM Wednesday, December 10, 2025 The meeting was held via Zoom and was called to order at 6:00 PM and adjourned at 6:49 PM on a roll call vote of 3 in favor (Councilor Davis, Councilor Clingan, Councilor Burnley, Jr.), 0 opposed. Others present: Kimberly Wells – City Clerk Roll Call City Councilor At Large Willie Burnley Jr., Ward Four City Councilor Jesse Clingan and Ward Six City Councilor Lance L. Davis Present: 1. Approval of the Minutes of the Licenses and Permits Committee Meeting of November 12, 2025. Committee Minutes (ID # 25-1712) ACCEPTED RESULT: City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., Ward Four City Councilor Clingan and Ward Six City Councilor Davis AYE: 2. Comcast applying for a Grant of Location to install a total of 49 feet of conduit in Houghton Street, from Utility Pole 174/1 to a point of pickup at 121 Prospect Street. Grant of Location (ID # 25-1529) Chair Burnley noted that public hearings have previously been held for all of these items, but there were outstanding questions and concerned residents and his intent was to sponsor members of the public and representatives of the utilities to speak. Dave Flewelling, representing Comcast, noted that the service will be provided to Prospect Street, but the utility pole on Houghton is he closest to the building, which is why the proposal is to excavate on Houghton. Chair Burnley asked if it would be possible to complete this work from Prospect Street and Dave Flewelling noted there would be additional excavation work needed. Councilor Davis shared that there appears to be a pole on the lot in question and asked for additional clarification about the routing. Dave Flewelling noted that there is not a closer entry point for Comcast. They always try to find the shortest amount of underground to bring service to the building to cut down on excavation work and deliver service sooner. He noted that it may be different for the other utilities, but for Comcast, Houghton Street is the closest; there is no cable on that particular pole. Lisa White, a resident of Houghton Street, noted that the pole is in front of her front door, and has many tangled and messy wires. The street has been dug up many times over the years and the last two years have brought Page 1 of 3

Licenses and Permits Committee Meeting Minutes December 10, 2025 additional issues with the construction of the new property. Additionally, the street was just re-paved, and they do not want additional issues with water flow, and prefer the connection be through Prospect Street. Mr. Flewelling noted that there is conduit in Prospect Street but not in close proximity to provide service for this specific building. He added that the street has not been paved curb-to-curb, and is not on the moratorium list due to paving. He added that an excavation of 49 feet should have minimal impact. Lisa White asked as well about the wiring, and it would be one 4” cable, but there are many lines from various utilities. She added that there is a lot of heavy equipment and no parking already at the location, and further shared that there is a gas line that causes issues when digging. Mr. Flewelling elaborated that it would only be a small portion completed at a time and the road will never be fully closed, and the work will be done and patched within one day. Chair Burnley asked if there would be any impact to the sidewalks and Mr. Flewelling confirmed that there may not be, and if so, it would be minimal. Part of the traffic plan includes the sidewalk. He added that the work probably would not start until on or about April 15, after the seasonal moratorium is lifted, unless a permit is issued by the Engineering Department. Lisa White added that the sidewalks were also just re-done in the fall, and asked if they would also be dug up. Dave noted that the impact will be limited and if any work is done, the panel will be replaced in kind with concrete. He added that he would also have someone come see what could be done about cleaning up the referenced pole. Councilor Davis asked if there was currently Comcast service to this parcel and there is not. RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED RESULT: City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., Ward Four City Councilor Clingan and Ward Six City Councilor Davis AYE: 3. Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install a total of 48 feet of conduit in Vernon Street, from Utility Pole 152/9 to a point of pickup at 70 Vernon Street. Grant of Location (ID # 25-1757) Chair Burnley noted that there were some abutter concerns. Tyler Barbosa, grandson of Maria Vicente, abutting property owner, shared that the family had spoken with Eversource that they didn’t want them on the property, and there was enough space to complete the work without affecting the abutting property. He expressed an understanding that their property would be taken. Jacquie Duffy explained that Eversource’s understanding is that they will not be on the abutter’s property at all. Ms. Duffy suggested that the abutter contact a surveyor and an attorney, because this is not her understanding of the property line. Chair Burnley suggested a condition that this not cross onto the abutter’s property line and asked if it would be possible to do this only on 70 Vernon, and Ms. Duffy confirmed that to her knowledge, it will only be on 70 Vernon, not at 74 Vernon at all. Councilor Davis agreed that the plan submitted also appears to have no element crossing into 74 Vernon. Chair Burnley moved to condition the license: That the conduit not cross Page 2 of 3

Licenses and Permits Committee Meeting Minutes December 10, 2025 into any abutting properties. The motion was approved on a roll call vote of 3 in favor (Davis, Clingan, Burnley), 0 opposed. Chair Burnley moved to condition the license: That Eversource meet with the abutters prior to the installation to ensure the property line boundary is enforced. The motion was approved on a roll call vote of 3 in favor (Davis, Clingan, Burnley), 0 opposed. RECOMMENDED TO BE APPROVED WITH CONDITIONS RESULT: City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., Ward Four City Councilor Clingan and Ward Six City Councilor Davis AYE: 4. Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install a total of 38 feet of conduit in Warwick Street, from Utility Pole 357/3 to a point of pickup at 16 Warwick Street. Grant of Location (ID # 25-1754) Chair Burnley noted that this is to provide electric service to an accessory dwelling unit. Matthew Penney, an abutter, expressed that there are already two empty conduits on the pole and he doesn’t understand whether those will be used or whether more will be added. He does not believe that additional conduits are necessary. Jacquie Duffy noted that she was not able to get an answer to this question. Chair Burnley asked about the scope of work, and Ms. Duffy said she will look into using one of the two spare risers that is available on the pole. Mr. Penney noted that someone else from Eversource had told him that they couldn’t use the spares because they belong to other utilities. Ms. Duffy suggested that this be tabled until she can coordinate with the division regarding the issue. Mr. Penney noted that he does not object to the project, he simply thinks the pole issue can be resolved. KEPT IN COMMITTEE RESULT: Page 3 of 3