gas emergency

*MEDIA ADVISORY* Andover, North Andover and Lawrence Officials to Hold Press Conference with Columbia Gas

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*MEDIA ADVISORY*

Andover, North Andover and Lawrence Officials to Hold Press Conference with Columbia Gas

Settlement Reached to Reimburse Three Communities, Repair Roadways and Restore Neighborhoods

ANDOVER — Leaders in the three communities affected by the Sept. 13 Merrimack Valley Gas Emergency will gather in Andover to address the media and the public regarding a settlement reached with Columbia Gas of Massachusetts and its parent company NiSource Inc. to compensate the communities for road restoration and for municipal claims and costs associated with the response.

WHEN:

TOMORROW — Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at Noon

WHERE:

Andover Public Safety Building

(Fire House Garage Bay)

32 N Main St.
Andover, MA 01810

WHO:

  • Andover Town Manager Andrew Flanagan
  • Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera
  • Interim North Andover Town Manager Lyne Savage
  • Police and Fire Chiefs and DPW Directors in all three communities
  • Columbia Gas representatives

WHAT:

The Merrimack Valley Gas Emergency necessitated an unprecedented emergency and municipal services response in each of the three affected communities. Significant overtime, staff, contractor, utility, supply, clerical, and other costs were incurred by Andover, North Andover, and Lawrence.

Additionally, nearly 50 miles of roadways in Andover, North Andover and Lawrence were dug up and temporarily patched to accommodate gas main replacement through December 2018.

The leaders will detail a settlement with Columbia Gas that will fund complete road restoration in the three communities and reimburse the communities for all of these expenses. Company representatives will be in attendance to answer questions from members of the press.

This settlement is being delivered directly to the three municipalities and goes above and beyond direct repairs and reimbursements to the approximately 8,600 natural gas customers who were affected by the gas emergency.

Members of the media interesting in attending the press conference are kindly asked to RSVP by contacting John Guilfoil (617-993-0003 or [email protected]). Cabling to live trucks will be permitted. A mult-box/press box will be provided by WCVB-TV for broadcast/audio recording. 

Town of Andover Seeks Volunteers for Municipal Business Advisory Council

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Town of Andover
Andrew P. Flanagan, Town Manager
36 Bartlet St.
Andover, MA 01810

townsealandoverFor Immediate Release

Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019

Contact: Jordan Mayblum
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Town of Andover Seeks Volunteers for Municipal Business Advisory Council

Group Will Develop Recommendations for how $2 Million Will Be Allocated to Support Business Recovery

ANDOVER — Town Manager Andrew P. Flanagan announces that the Town of Andover is seeking volunteers to help guide the town’s work supporting businesses and economic development as it recovers from last fall’s gas crisis.

The Essex County Community Foundation and the Lawrence Partnership will oversee the distribution of up to $2 million to support projects and initiatives in Andover, and the town is seeking stakeholders to serve on the new Municipal Business Advisory Council.

The council will be made up of nine business owners from the affected area and will also include town staff that will lead the effort. The council is expected to be assembled and begin work by early February.

Anyone interested in being considered for the council is asked to submit a letter of interest to Ann Ormond, Director of Business, Arts and Cultural Development, by noon on Tuesday, Jan. 22.

“The Municipal Business Advisory Council will develop a variety of ideas about how we can direct this funding in effective and meaningful ways,” Ormond said.

To submit a letter of interest, click here.

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UPDATE #88 (4 p.m.) Town of Andover Provides Update on Restoration Process Following Gas Emergency

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 617-993-0003

 Town of Andover Provides Update on Restoration Process Following Gas Emergency

ANDOVER — The Town of Andover continuously seeks to provide residents and business owners with key updates regarding the ongoing recovery and restoration efforts following the Merrimack Valley Gas Emergency.

Restoration Work ‘Substantially Complete’

Columbia Gas announced today that the restoration work is substantially complete, meaning that nearly all residences and businesses have heat, hot water and working gas appliances.

“This has been a long and at times very frustrating recovery for both the residents and businesses of Andover,” said Town Manager Andrew Flanagan. “I want to thank them for both their patience and resiliency throughout this process. I am pleased that this phase of the process is substantially complete and look forward to working to ensure that Columbia Gas fulfills all of its outstanding obligations to the ratepayers of Andover and Merrimack Valley moving forward.”

To read Columbia Gas’ full announcement on the completion of phase one of the recovery, click here.

A total of 48 Andover homes remain without gas service at this time, with approximately 156 total residential customers remaining without gas in Andover, North Andover and Lawrence. Of the Andover homes without service, all are completing the self-mitigation process.

Columbia Gas releases a daily briefing with updates on the progress of the restoration effort. Click here to read the briefing for Dec. 12.

Property Replacement and Claims

Hot water heaters, stoves and dryers will be replaced and boilers and furnaces will be safely repaired or replaced with those being repaired eventually being replaced beginning in the spring.

Columbia Gas has received nearly 5,000 claims from Andover residents and business owners and has paid out over $22.4 million to Andover gas customers so far.

If any resident or business owner in the affected area experiences frozen pipes, they are urged to call the Columbia Gas emergency hotline at 800-525-8222.

Free Parking Downtown

The Town of Andover will not collect parking fees at municipal parking lots through Dec. 30. The Town encourages downtown visitors to park in the municipal parking lots. This includes Lot 1 (between Andover Village Square and Caffé Nero), Lot 2 (behind Old Town Hall) and Lot 3 (Park Street Village).

Appliance Disposal

The disposal of condemned or replaced appliances is part of the recovery and restoration process. Your appliances will be removed and picked up by Columbia Gas or its contractors. Residents and business owners should not endure any cost for disposing of appliances.

Information for Landlords and Tenants

Attorney General Maura Healey’s office has released information for landlords and tenants affected by the Merrimack Valley Gas Emergency, which can be viewed in full here.

Alternative Housing 

Andover residents still have the option to seek free alternative housing while their gas service remains offline. Housing options include apartments, hotels and temporary trailers, and are completely paid for by Columbia Gas.

As of Wednesday, 15 Andover families are being lodged in alternate housing arrangements, including apartments and hotels. As customers’ service is restored, Columbia Gas is demobilizing trailer parks

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UPDATE #82 (4:50 p.m.) Town of Andover Provides Update on Restoration Process Following Gas Emergency

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 617-993-0003

 Town of Andover Provides Update on Restoration Process Following Gas Emergency

ANDOVER — The Town of Andover continuously seeks to provide residents and business owners with key updates regarding the ongoing recovery and restoration efforts following the Merrimack Valley Gas Emergency.

Massachusetts State Senate to Hold Hearings on Gas Disaster

The Massachusetts State Senate has scheduled two oversight hearings of its own next month. The first hearing will be held on Dec. 4 in Boston, while the second will be held in the Merrimack Valley on Dec. 17.

Earlier this week, the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, led by Sen. Edward J. Markey, held a field hearing in Lawrence to demand answers on behalf of the affected communities and hold those responsible to account.

Restoration Timeline and Claims

The “House Ready” process is expected to be completed between Dec. 2 and Dec. 16, and a Rapid Re-light process has been implemented that will result in gas service being restored ahead of Dec. 2.

A total of 90 percent of Andover residents and 94 percent of business customers who lost gas service have had their service restored as of Nov. 27.

Columbia Gas releases a daily briefing with updates on the progress of the restoration effort. Click here to read the briefing for Nov. 29.

Hot water heaters, stoves and dryers will be replaced and boilers and furnaces will be safely repaired or replaced with those being repaired eventually being replaced beginning in the spring.

Columbia Gas has received nearly 5,000 claims from Andover residents and business owners and has paid out $21.9 million to Andover gas customers as of Saturday.

If any resident or business owner in the affected area experiences frozen pipes, they are urged to call the Columbia Gas emergency hotline at 800-525-8222.

Free Parking Downtown

The Town of Andover will not collect parking fees at municipal parking lots through Dec. 30. The Town encourages downtown visitors to park in the municipal parking lots. This includes Lot 1 (between Andover Village Square and Caffé Nero), Lot 2 (behind Old Town Hall) and Lot 3 (Park Street Village).

Save the Date: Holiday Happenings Dec. 7

Andover will celebrate its annual Holiday Happenings event on Friday, Dec. 7 from 4-8 p.m. The event will feature a variety of activities, including photos with Santa, carnival and train rides, shopping, dining, fireworks and more.

The event will be held across a variety of locations throughout downtown, including Old Town Hall, Memorial Hall Library, Andover Historical Society, Center at Punchard and the park at Chesnut and Bartlet Street.

Festivities will take place throughout Main Street and the Park at Town Hall. The Park will host food vendors, a carousel ride, entertainment and the tree lighting. This year, additional activities will take place on Main Street including photos with Santa at Old Town Hall, carnival rides, live music coordinated by the Free Christian Church, Roaming Railroad train rides, a holiday stilt walker, along with shopping and dining at many downtown shops and restaurants.

Appliance Disposal

The disposal of condemned or replaced appliances is part of the recovery and restoration process. Your appliances will be removed and picked up by Columbia Gas or its contractors. Residents and business owners should not endure any cost for disposing of appliances.

Information for Landlords and Tenants

Attorney General Maura Healey’s office has released information for landlords and tenants affected by the Merrimack Valley Gas Emergency, which can be viewed in full here.

Self Mitigation Information

Columbia Gas has provided information on how residents can expedite the gas disaster mitigation process on their own.

For those who decide to go about repairing or replacing their own appliances, there are several steps that the utility has provided for residents interested in doing so.

To read the Columbia Gas mailer containing extensive information that was sent to customers, click here.

Alternative Housing 

Andover residents still have the option to seek free alternative housing while their gas service remains offline. Housing options include apartments, hotels and temporary trailers, and are completely paid for by Columbia Gas.

As of Tuesday, 555 Andover residents (down from 556 on Tuesday) were being lodged in alternate housing arrangements, including apartments, hotels and RVs.

Impacted Columbia Gas customers who choose to be placed in alternative housing while their homes are without gas should call Columbia Gas’ Claims line: 800-590-5571.

Transportation arrangements will be provided for residents staying in hotels and apartments who do not have their own means of transportation.

A congregate shelter has been established for those in need. It is capable of hosting up to 1,000 people and will have hot meals available. The shelter is located at 46 Stafford St., Lawrence.

The congregate shelter has been established as a warming center with showers, and can accommodate residents for short-term overnight stays.

“Back to Business”

Columbia Gas has developed an integrated process to quickly restore business customers. The “Back-to-Business” initiative will assign a project manager to each business owner who will be responsible for addressing the businesses’ unique needs in order to make the business ready to receive natural gas. The project managers will proactively reach out to business owners to introduce themselves and will begin visiting businesses in the coming days.

Back to Business Centers

Under the direction of each project manager will be a fully integrated team including claims adjusters, plumbers, laborers and electricians to quickly restore business customers.

The “Back-to-Business” initiative’s integrated teams will work out of three business centers, located in each of the affected communities.  These centers will serve as the operation center for construction operations managers, claims representatives and linguists, and will work to build customized plans for each business based on their assessed needs.  While business owners will be hearing from their project manager proactively, these centers are open to the public should business owners choose to visit them during the claims and recovery process.

The locations of the “Back-to-Business” Centers are:

  • 439 South Union St., Lawrence: Construction Operations Manager Derrick Seitz
  • 45 Main St., Andover: Construction Operations Manager Jeff McCaples
  • 115 South Main St., North Andover: Construction Operations Manager Charlie Romano

The centers are open from Tuesday to Friday from noon-8 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

To view businesses in Andover that are located in the affected and are currently open for business visit: www.andoverma.gov/andoverbiz 

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