April 7, 2009
By Robin Kaminski/The Daily Item

The light at the end of the tunnel is nearing for the relocation of the South Harbor power lines.

After two years of discussions and decades of hoping, the project looks to be completed by spring of 2010, according to James Cowdell, executive director of the Economic Development & Industrial Corporation (EDIC).

Since National Grid has a deadline of April 2010 to either upgrade the power lines where they currently are or relocate them, Cowdell said the city is hustling to meet requirements to make the project happen.

There are two remaining hurdles the city first has to overcome - eminent domain proceedings and two hearings with the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) on May 15 and 19.

The eminent domain takings stem from aerial easements needed at Mutual Electric, Ken Carpi's property which houses Walmart and Logan Furniture, and Donald Algeni's land at 853 Lynnway where an automobile business sits.

The easements are needed for 2,900 feet of space on either side of the new poles placed on Harding Street that are essentially located on private property.

The EDIC board is scheduled to meet again in two weeks to vote on the takings to make them official, as well as file the necessary paperwork at Lynn District Court.

"The only permitting we need for the project is with the DPU," Cowdell said. "They are also the deciding body to grant approval for the project, but we feel really confident that they will approve it."

The DPU hearings will consist of testimony from National Grid, Cowdell and other city officials about the process, findings, photos and the waterfront master plan.

"We are moving all engines forward," he said.

James Marsh, director of community development, said the city is currently in the process of applying for $3 million in federal stimulus funds. Notification will most likely be made by the summer.

The city has already received $2.5 million in state funding and the City Council recently approved a $4 million bond. City officials are hopeful, however, that the bond will not be touched if federal stimulus funds come though.

The power lines are currently situated along the east side of the Lynnway along the harbor, and the relocation would place them on the west side of the Lynnway by General Electric, then crossing over the Lynnway by Harding Street, continuing near Commercial Street.

If approved by the DPU, orders for steel would be placed and construction would most likely begin in October.

Calls placed to attorney David Rich, who is representing Carpi, were not returned Monday.