SAUGUS – As Verizon works to install more than 200 new telephone poles around Saugus, some town officials are growing concerned with the drilling process after work crews struck a gas main and a water main earlier this month.”I talked to (Department of Public Works Director) Joe (Attubato) and said I want to make sure all of these drilling points have all been double checked by Dig Safe, and ensure that if Verizon has to, they’re going to have to have someone there from the DPW to make sure that everything is all set to go before they start drilling these holes,” said Selectman Stephen Horlick.According to Attubato, Verizon workers struck a water main at 96 Central St. earlier this month. On March 8, a portion of Central Street was closed after crews struck a gas main on Juliette Road. Firefighters responded to the incident and several homes in the area had to be checked as National Grid was called in to repair the leak.”They’re going to be doing a couple of hundred poles over the next couple of years, and so far they’ve hit two major issues already,” said Horlick. “They hit a brand new water main ? and with the gas main, they were lucky it was a windy day and it dispersed the gas pretty quickly.”Attubato, however, said it may be the town’s plans that are the problem.”In all fairness, the plan for that area that we have didn’t show exactly where the water main was,” said Attubato. “If you looked at where it actually is, it looks like it’s on private property. I can’t fault Verizon. Record keeping on water mains and sewer sometimes aren’t right. In this particular case, it didn’t show anything there so when they hit it, it was not only a surprise to them, but to us.”Verizon spokesperson Phil Santoro confirmed this to the Daily Item.”In both instances we were cleared to dig by Dig Safe,” said Santoro.Still, Attubato said he’s concerned about being on the same page with Verizon as they continue to install more poles.Horlick said he’s been in contact with Verizon to make sure residents are reimbursed for any damage from the water main break.”I know there were losses for people because I received calls from people that their basements flooded, and had their landscaping and part of their lawns torn away from the water,” said Horlick. “I advised them to go to their insurance adjuster and submit the bill directly to Verizon.”Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].