Spokesmen for the power company NStar told the Martha’s Vineyard Commission Thursday that they believe the commission has no jurisdiction over a project to install new, oversized utility poles around the Island. The poles have raised the hackles of Islanders and public officials who say they are ruinous to roadside aesthetics and out of character for the Vineyard.
Utility poles
2013
July 23, 2013
The Martha’s Vineyard Commission will review new utility poles placed around the Island as a development of regional impact (DRI).
The regional authority voted 13-1 last Thursday that the project merited review by the commission, DRI director Paul Foley said. Edgartown commissioner James Joyce was the no vote.
July 17, 2013
The land use planning committee of the Martha’s Vineyard Commission recommended Monday that new NStar utility poles should be referred to the commission as a development of regional impact (DRI).
With a majority of the commission members attending the meeting, the group voted 11-0 that the installation of about 180 larger utility poles on pubic roadways.
July 9, 2013
Edgartown selectmen had sharp words for representatives from NStar Monday about the installation of taller utility poles on the Island.
The new utility poles, which are being installed on Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road and Edgartown-West Tisbury Road, average about 10 feet taller than the previous poles. An NStar representative told the Gazette that about 260 new poles are being installed, 180 on public roadways. Most of the poles are replacing existing poles, though some are new.
July 4, 2013
The clash between Island aesthetics and improved utilities has come to a head on the Vineyard over the last several weeks as new, larger utility poles started popping up on Vineyard roads.
Residents and town officials have criticized the new poles as unsightly and out of keeping with the Vineyard’s character, referring the project for review by the Martha’s Vineyard Commission. NStar, the utility company installing the poles, said this week that the poles are necessary to improve electric service and meet demand.
June 27, 2013
Amid growing negative public sentiment over a telephone pole replacement project on the Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road, the Tisbury selectmen have referred the project to the Martha’s Vineyard Commission for possible review.
Meeting in emergency session last Friday, the selectmen voted to refer the NStar project to the MVC as a development of regional impact (DRI). The height and size of the poles is at issue.
The move to refer the matter to the commission was recommended by town administrator John (Jay) Grande after consulting with town clerk Marion Mudge.
