Verizon Makes Good on Double-Poles

Thanks to a recent , Verizon employees have replaced dozens of double-poles across Marblehead.

After months of trying to get Verizon to replace them, Robert Jolly, Director of the town's , brought his fight to the attention of Selectmen in September.

Jolly's report prompted board members to scold Verizon's Regional Director, Stanley J. Usovicz, telling him that the telecommunication company's inaction was "inexcusable" and that they worried the host of double-poles would "tranish the reputation" of the local light department.

On a rainy day earlier this week, Jolly sent some of his employees out to check on Verizon's progress and received some encouraging news. 

"Verizon is doing a phenomenal job," Jolly said. "Of the 40 poles that I mentioned back at the meeting a month and a half ago, they’ve completed 38."

At the time of the meeting, Jolly told members that of the roughly 100 double-poles in Marblehead, which are simply old or damaged utility poles supported by being connected to another, 40 were Verizon's responsibility to replace.

"There are still some others out there but Verizon sent an army and I will give credit where credit is due," Jolly said, adding, "I will give them credit for taking this seriously. They didn’t just come in for a week and let it go, they are continuing to work on this."

Although board members passed a motion requiring that Jolly and Usovicz return to for an update, Jolly said he doesn't expect that meeting will be necessary.