Editorial: Verizon Switch building

When a local select board takes up an issue of a distressed property owned by a public utility, it means that the communication between the two bodies has lost contact – a drop line and/or no pickup at the other end?

The Lenox Selectmen has initiated a letter to Bell Atlantic/Verizon to clean up its building at 48 Walker St.

The Berkshire Beacon has been advocating sand blasting the outside removing white paint and restoring it to its original red brick color. This would be a true enhancement to the Historic District and to the neighborhood. Visitors to Tanglewood pass this very spot daily.

While Verizon officials have been slow to come to the plate, they are eager to get a new sign on top of the front door proclaiming VERIZON.

The sign would be out of step given the condition of the property today.

One is always hopeful that an agreement can be reached.

Verizon is a good neighbor, but in these times responsibility for its real estate has been shuttled from Massachusetts to New York and now to Texas.

One is lucky to find someone at the end of a landline. Yet, Verizon needs permits for trenching, pole locations, etc. And they are a public utility responsible to its ratepayers. Part of their public persona is maintaining its buildings and equipment.

Today, we need an agreed plan. Maybe the letter from the Selectmen will help:

“The Board of Selectmen has received several complaints regarding the façade of your building located at 48 Walker St. in the Town of Lenox, Massachusetts.

“Accordingly, we are asking you to consider making some improvements to the outside of this building that would make it more in keeping with the colonial nature of the surrounding buildings.” Signed W. David Roche, chairman, and Kenneth L. Fowler, clerk.

Posted by George C. Jordan III on August 29, 2013. Filed under Editorials,Opinion. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry