merrimack valley

*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 #90 (5:30 p.m.) Town of Andover Provides Update on Restoration Process Following Gas Emergency

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, Dec. 17, 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 Update

A total of 32 Andover homes remain without gas service at this time, down from 48 on Wednesday, with approximately 92 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. 17.

Shop Locally and Win This Weekend

Town Manager Andrew Flanagan is pleased to announce that residents who shop and dine at local businesses will have the opportunity to enter a raffle and win a series of prizes.

From Thursday, Dec. 20 through Saturday, Dec. 22, residents will have an opportunity to win either a $500 gift card, $1,000 gift card or a grand prize of a $2,500 gift card.

  • Spend $50 to earn one raffle entry
  • Spend $51 to $100 to earn two entries
  • Spend $101 to $200 to earn three entries
  • Spend $201 to $300 to earn four entries
  • Spend $301 or more to earn five entries

To enter, residents should submit their receipts and an entry form in the submission boxes inside Old Town Hall between 4-7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday and between 10 a.m. and noon on Sunday.

Receipts must be from an Andover business, excluding chain restaurants and grocery stores. The winner will be drawn on Sunday, Dec. 23 at 3 p.m.

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 Sunday, 11 Andover families remain lodged in alternate housing arrangements, including apartments and hotels. That number is down from 15 on Wednesday. As customers’ service is restored, Columbia Gas is demobilizing trailer parks and other alternate housing arrangements.

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UPDATE #89 (3:55 p.m.) Town of Andover Provides Update on Restoration Process Following Gas Emergency

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, Dec. 14, 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 Update

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

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

A total of 35 Andover homes remain without gas service at this time, down from 48 on Wednesday, with approximately 111 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. 14.

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 Friday, 12 Andover families remain lodged in alternate housing arrangements, including apartments and hotels. That number is down from 15 on Wednesday. As customers’ service is restored, Columbia Gas is demobilizing trailer parks and other alternate housing arrangements.

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