Fiber Optics Installation Public Safety Update

In light of recent events and the public's concerns that have been shared with the City, both fiber optic comanies conducting installations in the City provided written confirmation this week of their ongoing commitment to compliance with all required practices and protocols that have been in place since the Community Development Department issued the first permits to these companies in the spring of 2025.  These required practices and protocols have prioritized the safety of the public, the respective company's employees, and facilitated prompt corrective action when unexpected issues or restoration concerns have developed.   

• All work requires plans be approved and permits issued by the Community Development Department prior to any in-field activity commencing.
• Notification is required to be delivered to all property owners through mailed notices, door hangers and/or yard darts prior to initiating any excavation work.  All notices must include your company's name and contact information.
• The Ohio Utilities Protection Service (OUPS-OHIO 811) must be contacted for the marking of all underground utilities, and all utility markings must be completed by the various utilities prior to initiating any excavation work, including hand digging. 
• If work is not initiated within 14 days of the utility markings being completed, your company must submit a new utility markings ticket to OUPS and all utilities must be re-marked.
• If a gas line or electrical service is damaged, immediately contact 911 then the utility provider (Enbridge/DEOG or First Energy); Notification also must be called into the Community Development Department.
• If any service lateral for water or sewer is damaged, immediately contact the City of Kent Utilities Division of the Service Department; Notification also must be called into the Community Development Department.
• If any telecommunications service line is damaged, immediately contact the provider company;  Notification also must be called into the Community Development Department.
• All handheld directional drilling must be completed by a skilled worker properly trained in its operation and appropriate supervision and additional worker(s) (spotters) must be present.  Use of any handheld directional drilling tool must be done in accordance with OSHA standards for the operation of such equipment (see attached).
• Use of handheld directional drilling is strictly prohibited under any state route or multi-lane road (i.e. 3 lanes or more).
• All restoration work must be done after excavation is complete, including but not limited to:
• retaining excavated spoils for filling, grading;
• tamping of disturbed areas;
• Adequate seeding, strawing of excavated areas;
• Ensure all concrete repairs to streets, sidewalks and driveway aprons are completed prior to moving to another permitted work area; 
• Conduct visual inspections of flowerpot and box installations to ensure grading/tamping/fill has the installations flush at grade, and all are fully bolted down.
•  All vehicles must be clearly marked with your company's name and identifying information.
• At no time should vehicles block driveways, intersections or crosswalks.
• Cones must be placed to warn drivers of parked work vehicles and equipment on public streets and in heavy traffic areas, a maintenance of traffic plan must be provided and approved by the City prior to initiating work.
• All workers for whom English is not their native language, must have printed cards on them that lists the name and phone number of the field supervisor overseeing the crew;
• Any and all questions regarding unusual field situations, restoration concerns, etc. need to be brought to the immediate attention of the Community Development Department.