natural gas

*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. 

Andover Fire Rescue Responds to Outdoor Gas Leak

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Andover Fire Rescue
Chief Michael B. Mansfield
32 North Main St.
Andover, MA 01810

For Immediate Release

Thursday, April 18, 2019

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

Andover Fire Rescue Responds to Outdoor Gas Leak

Media staging: On Lovejoy Road at Bridle Path Road intersection.

ANDOVER — Fire Chief Michael Mansfield reports that Andover Fire Rescue is on-scene with Columbia Gas crews at a serious natural gas leak outside a residence.

A Grade 1 gas leak (most serious) has been declared.

Firefighters responded to an address on Bridle Path Road at the request of Columbia Gas shortly before 3 p.m. Upon arrival, crews were notified that Columbia Gas was conducting a survey of the neighborhood when they received extremely high gas readings outside one the homes. The gas meters on-scene showed natural gas concentrations of approximately 60 percent, which prompted officials to determine that an immediate hazard existed at that location, requiring immediate corrective action.

Officials believe that the source of the leak is a valve or coupling located under the front yard of the residence. Columbia Gas is in the process of digging up the lawn to locate and stop the leak.

No one was home at the time, but the homeowner has since returned home. Fire and gas crews have swept the home and determined no gas leaked into the home. No evacuations have been ordered at this time, but officials are actively monitoring the situation.

This story will be updated. 

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UPDATE #86 (4 p.m.) Town of Andover Provides Update on Restoration Process Following Gas Emergency

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, Dec. 5, 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.

Holiday Happenings THIS FRIDAY

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.

Restoration Timeline and Claims

Columbia Gas has a target date of Dec. 16 for the restoration of gas service to all homes and businesses.

As of today, a total of 95 percent of Andover residents and 96 percent of town business customers who lost gas service have had their service restored as of Wednesday.

A total of 82 Andover homes remain without gas service at this time, with 312 total residential customers remaining without gas in Andover, North Andover and Lawrence.

Columbia Gas releases a daily briefing with updates on the progress of the restoration effort. Click here to read the briefing for Dec. 5.

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 $22.4 million to Andover gas customers as of Wednesday.

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, 47 Andover residents (down from 91 on Sunday and more than 500 last week) are being lodged in alternate housing arrangements, including apartments and hotels.

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UPDATE #84 (3:30 p.m.) Town of Andover Provides Update on Restoration Process Following Gas Emergency

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, Dec. 3, 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 Timeline and Claims

The “House Ready” process is expected to be completed between now and Dec. 16.

A total of 94 percent of Andover residents and 95 percent of town business customers who lost gas service have had their service restored as of Sunday.

A total of 99 Andover residents remain without gas service at this time, with 465 total residential customers remaining without gas in Andover, North Andover and Lawrence.

Columbia Gas releases a daily briefing with updates on the progress of the restoration effort. Click here to read the briefing for Dec. 3.

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 $22.1 million to Andover gas customers as of Sunday.

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.

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 Tuesday, Dec. 4 in Boston, while the second will be held in the Merrimack Valley on Dec. 17.

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, 91 Andover residents (down from more than 500 last week) were being lodged in alternate housing arrangements, including apartments and hotels.

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