Swampscott selectmen hold off on utility pole vote

SWAMPSCOTT-A request by National Grid to install a utility pole to provide power to 100 Burrill St. was continued.The pole would have provided power to a former church, which is the proposed site of a 40B project that is opposed by the town. Local developer Dan Dandreo has plans to build a 12-unit 40B condominium project at the site. The Zoning Board of Appeals would not approve the project and it is currently in the Housing Appeals Commission.Although there were not any abutters present at the public hearing to express their opposition to placing a pole to provide service to 100 Burrill St., there were plenty of objections from Town Administrator Andrew Maylor.Maylor pointed out the project has not been approved.Dandreo countered by saying there is no power to the building and regardless of what is done with the site there is a need for electrical power.National Grid Spokesman Tim Williamson said the pole is necessary to supply power to the building.Maylor said he is fundamentally opposed to a pole going up in front of property belonging to one person to benefit another party.Williamson pointed out there were no neighbors present at the hearing opposing the pole and it would be located on a right of way.Board of Selectmen Chairman Adam Forman asked if abutters were notified and Maylor said the town sent the required public hearing notice to all the abutters. After reading the letter sent to the neighbors, Forman expressed concern the notice didn’t clearly explain where the pole would be located.Selectman Anthony Scibelli said he would prefer not to vote to approve the request until he has had a chance to go look at the site for the proposed utility pole.The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to continue the public hearing until its next meeting.