Public Facilities Committee

August 12, 2026 Final

Agenda — 3 items

Requesting a discussion of the “two-foot rule” which allows street openings for utility work without a grant of location COUNCILOR LEARY requesting a discussion with the Public Works and Law Departments regarding the origin and legal basis for the “two-foot rule” which allows National Grid to open streets to install new gas pipes without a new grant of location (GOL). The discussion should include reference to State Law requiring City Council approval for gas pipe street openings, National Grid's statement at the December 4, 2024 Public Facilities meeting that it may open streets without a GOL because of the two-foot rule, and exploration of legal pathways to enable Newton to exercise more control over gas pipe installations. This could include the elimination of the "two-foot rule" as well as recommendations of additional actions that the City could take. (180 Days: 01/09/2027)
Public Hearing 07-22-2026 Eversource petition for a grant of location on Prescott Street EVERSOURCE ENERGY petitioning for a grant of location to install and maintain approximately 60 feet of underground conduit southerly from utility pole 69/4, approximately 60 feet north of Prescott Street, and install and maintain an additional 450 feet of underground conduit and one new manhole (MH 32916) easterly from the intersection of Prescott Street and Central Avenue, terminating the conduit at 75 Prescott Street.https://newtonma.portal.opengov.com/records/931092
<div style="margin-left: 100px;">Referred to Public Facilities & Finance Committees</div>#221-26 CPC recommendation to appropriate $232,000 for the cupolas and windows at City Hall COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE recommending the appropriation of two hundred thirty-two thousand dollars ($232,000) in Community Preservation Act funding from Unrestricted prior Year Reserves (Acct# 5800-3599) to the Planning & Development Department for a grant to the Public Buildings Departments for the cupolas and windows at City Hall.

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