A temporary ban on utility permits issued by the City of Providence to National Grid is being sought so that “an acceptable citywide policy on the installation of new gas meters may be established by National Grid,” Councilman Terrence M. Hassett, ward 12, announced today.
In a resolution filed for the October 2nd session of the City Council, Hassett said he will seek to halt the issuance of utility permits to National Grid granted by the Department of Public Works until November 1, 2008, and rescind all previous permits granted since August 1, 2008.
The move comes following National Grid’s extensive project to remove gas meters located in home basements, and replace them with gas meters located on the outside of homes, often near front lawns, and front property lines, an effort which Hassett said is outraging homeowners. He noted that the company is well underway in switching the location of the meters and said that “establishing a moratorium will put the brakes on any new construction until an acceptable policy is formulated.” The City has control over the issuance of utility permits, according to Hassett. “If a permit is not issued, no work can be initiated.”
Hassett observed that the company has been careless in re-locating the meters, often selecting any outside location to install the meters without regard to the clumsy appearance. “Homeowners take pride in their homes,” he said. “They should be consulted as to where the meter is ultimately installed. It should never be permitted that a company simply shows up and dumps a meter in the front of your house. The City will seek to require a policy on the installation of these meters before the ban is lifted.”
Hassett said that historic houses in the Holden Street area of Smith Hill have already been impacted, and that there are reports from Mount Pleasant residents about pending installations.
Hassett noted that all utilities also need to re-examine the way in which they dig into city streets and replace the street once the work is completed. “The City needs to take a serious look at every utility that comes into our neighborhoods and starts ripping up streets and sidewalks and then leaves them in poor or otherwise substandard condition,” Hassett added. “They are required to leave the site as they found it, or better.”
The councilman said he will seek a review of the practices of utilities that perform construction in the city in order to safeguard the millions of dollars in city bond funds that were spent repairing and replacing streets and sidewalks.
