Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECO) had requested to place a pole at the corner of Coes Hill Road at the front of Interstate Building Supply, right, this week but selectmen denied the request after Interstate store owner Richard Battistoni opposed the request. Representatives from WMECO said the new pole would improve service at Interstate Building Supply and would also serve the Ryan Building and Tucker’s Restaurant. Plans to move the pole to the south side of Coes Hill Road could resolve the problem. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
SOUTHWICK – The Board of Selectmen did not approve a request from Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECO) to place a pole at the corner of Coes Hill Road at the front of Interstate Building Supply this week.
Store owner Richard Battistoni attended a hearing on the subject Monday and said he opposed the request and would take further action if the board approved positioning the pole there.
“I don’t want a pole right in front of my building,” he said. “It’s right where I plow snow and right where the town plows snow. “
Battistoni called the pole positioning the “cheap way” to upgrade service. WMECO representative Jerry Molongoski said that while it would probably result in cost savings, placing the pole there was about safety and service. An underground transformer on Battistoni’s property, where Battistoni said WMECO could tie into, is not the proper voltage. Molongoski said the new pole would improve service at Interstate Building Supply and would also serve the Ryan Building and Tucker’s Restaurant.
“Those lines are not currently fused,” said Molongoski. “‘We are looking to set the pole on Mr. Battistoni’s side of the road within the road taking.”
Molongoski said originally, the plan was to place the pole on the other side of the road, but that would mean they would have to dig across the street and there would be three poles about 90 feet apart, which he said is not the preferred way WMECO sets poles. That would also mean Verizon would have to be involved in the process because of positioning within their lines.
“This is a cost saving measure,” Battistoni insisted. “They already agreed to put it (on the other side). Would any of you want a pole in front of your house or building?”
Molongoski noted that the pole would be just easterly of IBS.
Batistoni argued that his business has been in place much longer than Tucker’s or the Ryan Building and he does not believe he should suffer in order for their lines to be fused.
“I’ve been here longer – why should I be paralyzed with this? I’m very upset about this and I will not let this die,” said Battistoni.
Selectmen Tracy Cesan and Joseph Deedy sympathized with Battistoni.
“This puts me in a dilemma,” said Cesan. “We have to think not only of WMECO, but of our residents and businesses,” she told Molongoski.
Deedy agreed.
“I don’t blame him,” he said. “I wouldn’t want it there either.”
Chairman Russell Fox said it was apparent that the board was not going to approve the request and asked Molongoski if he wanted to continue the hearing or have it voted down.
“I will probably need a new petition,” said Molongoski, noting that to do what Battistoni prefers WMECO would need to include Verizon in the petition and receive an easement from Battistoni to go across his property.
“You can have an easement,” Battistoni said.
