Kelley Square Streetlights (Hotel Vernon)
At a glance
Based on auto-generated captions and the official minutes; details may be misheard.
- What: requests for a streetlight near 16 Kelley Sq. (Hotel Vernon) and on Millbury St. after two decorative lights were knocked down by a vehicle 1.5 to 2 years ago.
- Where it stands: on 2026-09-14 the Kelley Sq. request was held (3-0) and the Millbury St. request (4-18 Millbury St.) was given leave to withdraw.
- Next: a DPW report on how the city repairs damaged streetlights, which will return with the held item; Chairman's Order for police and Quality of Life Team attention.
Concerns raised
- Residents (including older adults) described assaults, drug activity, people sleeping in doorways and a dark block after 8 p.m.
- A second resident said earlier contacts with city staff went unanswered.
DPW position
- The driver who hit the poles was uninsured; the city says installing the lights itself would give up accident recovery, and the lighting budget cannot absorb every knocked-down pole. Repair of the two decorative lights is about $20,000 or more.
- The block meets spacing standards (three lights at most about 75 feet apart; DPW aims for about 100 feet maximum), so no new light was recommended on Millbury St.
Orders
- Report from the Commissioner of Public Works on the city's process for repairing or replacing streetlights damaged in any way.
- Report/attention from the Police Chief and the Quality of Life Team on illegal activity near Hotel Vernon.
- Expected back on the Council agenda around mid-October.
Discussion time
About 18 minutes across 1 meeting (from transcript timestamps; approximate).
| Meeting | Minutes |
|---|---|
| 2026-09-14 - Public Works Committee | 18 |
Log
- 2026-09-14 - Public Works Committee - Hearing with two residents; DPW explained accident recovery and spacing; 6e held, 6f leave to withdraw, two chairman's orders issued; Satya B. Mitra pressed for an alternative process.