Planned utility pole work spurs concerns in Leverett

LEVERETT — An Eversource project to replace aging utility poles along nearly 2 miles of road in North Leverett, expected to get underway sometime in 2026, is raising concerns about an anticipated disruption in electrical service for customers and possible costs to the town.

Eversource representatives Adam Bjelf and Mitchell Hubbard informed the Selectboard last week that the new poles will be going up along a stretch of about 9,000 feet of North Leverett Road, extending from the intersection with Dudleyville Road east toward the Shutesbury town line and Lake Wyola.

The precise 2026 start date for the project is not yet known, but once underway, it will take a month or so to complete, Hubbard said.

For board members, the main worry is whether there will be extended power outages, which could compromise the functioning of the Leverett Village Co-op, which depends on refrigerators and freezers.

There may also be residents who need medical devices with power around the clock.

Hubbard said it may be possible to provide generators when power outages are scheduled.

Selectboard members also asked whether Verizon phone lines and town fiber lines would automatically be relocated to the new poles. This is uncertain, and there could be costs associated with restringing them.

The board signed off on the project, under the condition that the Conservation Commission approve any work within wetlands areas.

Board member Jed Proujansky had suggested waiting for the commission to act, though this could delay the work.

In other business last week, the Selectboard:

Accepted a low bid of $299,325 from the Clayton D. Davenport construction company of Greenfield to do drainage repairs and retaining wall reconstruction on a discontinued section of Rattlesnake Gutter Road. That portion of the road is now known as the Rattlesnake Gutter Conservation Area. The project was supported with a $265,000 transfer from the town’s Community Preservation Act Account and is designed to prevent washouts.

Accepted a low bid of $295,000 to repair sprinklers at Leverett Elementary School, which have been leaking and causing false alarms. The work, funded with a $250,000 Stabilization Account transfer at Annual Town Meeting, includes the installation of a vapor shield in the air line to help prevent pipes from corroding and replacing existing main pipes with Schedule 10 galvanized pipes. About 2,025 feet of pipe will be replaced, varying in size from 2 to 4 inches. While the cost is more than had been anticipated, the work is expected to be completed in August before the school year.

Began interviews for the fire chief position, which has a salary of between $75,000 and $81,000. The department is currently being led by interim Fire Chief Amy Rice.

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.