WOBURN - Ward 2 Alderman Richard Gately criticized two utility companies who he said are leaving the city's roads in worse condition than they found them whenever they have to perform construction work.

"Your policy has to change," Gately told a representative from KeySpan Energy Delivery. "You guys have to put city streets back the way they were."

Gately's comments came during two public hearings at the most recent City Council meeting. KeySpan was seeking a grant of right-of-way to install approximately 125 feet of 2-inch gas main to provide service to a house on Naples Avenue in North Woburn, while NStar Electric Co. was seeking a grant of right-of-way to install conduit on Washington Street and Dragon Court, near the Reading line.

Both petitions were eventually approved on unanimous votes.

Of the two companies, Gately said KeySpan was the greater offender, with NStar "not quite as bad."

"On a scale of 1-10, you guys are about a seven," he said.

Gately advised KeySpan representative Hugh Small to familiarize himself with Title XII of the city's municipal code, which defines the regulations for work on the city's "streets, sidewalks and public places."

"Woburn expects you to know how to fix these trenches you're digging," said Gately.

He also criticized the company for removing concrete and replacing it with asphalt, a less durable substance.

"There are half a dozen roads where you haven't (replaced concrete with concrete)," said Gately. "You have a lot of work you have to complete."

Small asked for a list of roads under the circumstances to which Gately referred.

"This is the first I've heard of it," said Small. "I'll take a look at it."

He also noted the company is doing "a lot of excavating ... before you get your permits," which are granted by the council.

Small replied that KeySpan's construction division does apply for permits before it begins work, and suggested Gately may be referring to the company's maintenance division, which often has to work on an emergency basis.

Ward 5 Alderman Darlene Mercer-Bruen noted NStar's work on Dragon Court and Washington Street has already been completed, on the basis of an emergency work permit granted by the city's Department of Public Works.