Special Meeting and Public Works and Facilities Committee, October 21, 2026

At the City of Medford City Council special meeting on October 21, 2026, members discussed Comcast’s petition for a grant of location to install approximately 273 feet of four-inch underground conduit, manholes, and a vault in Riverside Avenue. The proposed relocation is intended to protect service to about 23 commercial customers potentially affected by demolition at 65 Riverside Avenue. Engineering staff recommended standard conditions, including DigSafe notification and a trench permit, protection and marking of existing utilities, public communication at least 72 hours before work, and submission of approved as-built plans and CAD files. The Council voted 7–0 to refer the petition to its next regular meeting; it did not approve the grant at this meeting.

Members also focused on avoiding service disruption during demolition. City staff and the interim building commissioner said the property owner’s demolition contractor, Hamilton, must coordinate with Comcast and protect the live utility connection. The commissioner agreed to notify the contractor and request its participation in the next meeting; Comcast said it would work on a transition plan. No contract award, spending authorization, or budget allocation was identified.