We’re pleased to report that our test of the town’s new question and answer system on its website worked well the first time around, with an answer returned to us within 24 hours. We posed a question that a reader had asked us about some Verizon work that was slowing down his commute along Rte. 16. The answer, courtesy of the town’s Engineering Division:

The work near the Duck Pond was relating to a plugged conduit at Brook Street and Wellesley Avenue intersection right near the Washington Street traffic lights. Verizon excavated at two locations and placed a temporary patch over the trenches for now.

The other location is at 29 Washington St. This work was also to repair a plugged conduit. Excavation was done in Columbia Street & Washington Street intersection. Verizon excavated at three locations and placed a temporary patch for now. This is a block down from the gas station and Glen Road intersection and I believe these may be the trenches that’s being mentioned. No new excavation was done in front of the gas station across from Glen Road.

Verizon will be back at these locations probably around late summer or fall and replace the temporary patches with a permanent patch.

As for near the Post Office next to Cliff Road, no recent Verizon trenches have been done. However, Phoenix Communications is working near here on Washington Street at the Cliff Road and Washington Street intersection. The crew told me they are working on the traffic signals for the Town. They don’t need a Street Occupancy Permit. They said they will be there for about an hour.