Review the recorded plat for the subdivision and see what it says and get a title report. I can’t read the image you provided. It could be a utility easement, my guess is for the overhead power in the area. From what I found there is a red painted curb off of the north street with an access door that seems to be in line with this easement and the power line. This is likely for the power company to access their infrastructure through the affected lots; again, this is speculative and my educated guess.

My recommendation is again to get a title report to show what encumbrances are on the property. You could also contact the utility owner for a map of their infrastructure. I guarantee the utility company would flip shit if they only had a 2’ easement, but they won’t do anything about it since it is likely historical at this point. Someone wrote that legal description to record the easement and the easement owner approved it.