Committee Report - Public Utilities - 10-26-10 — File 190322

October 26, 2010 Public Utilities and Public Works Committee Page 1 of 2 Printed 10/27/2010 REPORT OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Sean T. O’Donovan Chair Present Walter F. Pero Vice Chair Absent Robert C. Trane Ward Seven Alderman Present John M Connolly Alderman At Large Present Stan Koty DPW Commissioner Present Steve MacEachern Supt. of Lines and Lights Present Bill Zamparelli NSTAR Present Mark Reed NSTAR Present Bob Masci NSTAR Present • Public Hearing re: power outages and resulting damages, power capacity, and double poles. A Public Hearing was held to receive public input related to power outages and resulting damages, power capacity, and double poles. Yasser Mirza, proprieter of Sound Bites Cafe in Ball Square, spoke of his experiences with NSTAR and the loss of business and equipment resulting from NSTAR’s power outages. Mr. Reed spoke about NSTAR’s remediation and its capital improvement plan, promising to keep the Board of Aldermen and the city’s residents informed as the plan moves forward. Mr. Masci addressed the concerns of residents and spoke about reliability, infrastructure, upgrades and preparations to accomodate future local growth. 5,300 feet of overhead wire and 6,300 feet of underground cable will be replaced. Updates were provided regarding station 16, area 3 and the Prospect Street sub-station. Mr. Masci stated that NSTAR’s goal is to have the upgrades completed by July 1, 2011. The committee was asked to advise residents to call one number, [phone removed], to report a defective street light. Chairman O’Donovan’s motion that NSTAR report, in writing, to the Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works, why the sub-station on Lowell Street is operating at 40% capacity, was approved. Chairman O’Donovan will schedule a follow-up meeting after the first of the year. The Public Hearing was closed. 188632 - That a Representative of NStar Appear Before This Board’s Committee on Public Utilities & Works to Discuss Power Capacity in West Somerville, Anticipating the 199 Housing Units at MaxPac.:

Committee Meeting October 26, 2010 Public Utilities and Public Works Committee Page 2 of 2 Printed 10/27/2010 See discussion from Public Hearing (above). RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE Next: 12/31/2010 12:00 AM 189019 - That the Commissioner of Public Works Attend the Next Public Utilities and Public Works Subcommittee to Discuss Any and All Business, Especially the Issue of Double Poles.: Mr. MacEachern informed the members that there are presently 159 double poles in the city. 63 poles are ready to be removed by NSTAR. Since September, Verizon has removed 41 poles and has 79 remaining to be worked. Mr. MacEachern noted that even though poles are being removed, new poles are being added to the count. There was a discussion about the accuracy of the double pole count. Chairman O’Donovan’s motion that the Superintendent of Lines and Lights provide the Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works with an accurate listing of all double poles in the city, was approved. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE Next: 12/31/2010 12:00 AM