twitter

UPDATE #63 (5 p.m.) Town of Andover Provides Update on Restoration Process Following Gas Emergency

⋅ City/Town News ⋅ , , , , , , ⋅ 0 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, Nov. 7, 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

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.

Gas service has been restored to 50 percent of businesses and 34 percent of residential gas customers in Andover, North Andover and Lawrence who lost service in the crisis that began on Sept. 13.

As of Wednesday, 44 percent of all Andover residents who lost gas service have had their service restored.

Fifteen more Andover businesses had service restored on Tuesday. This means that 59 percent  of 127 of the 217 commercial gas customers in the affected area have now had their service restored. However, 90 Andover businesses remain without gas service.

Columbia Gas releases a daily briefing with updates on the progress of the restoration effort. Click here to read the briefing for Nov. 7.

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.

Andover Business Social Media Campaign

Today, a group of town officials, high school students and public relations students from a Northeastern University School of Journalism class took to downtown Andover, visiting more than 30 town businesses and Tweeting with the hashtags   .

The students took photos inside each business to call attention to the vibrant and diverse group of shops and service providers who have persevered through the Merrimack Valley Gas Emergency for nearly two months.

You can view some of the results on the Town of Andover Twitter Page.

After the social medial campaign Wednesday afternoon, the volunteers were treated to a free pizza party courtesy of Bertucci’s on Main Street.

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.

As a first step, the Attorney General’s Office encourages landlords and tenants to discuss the situation and work cooperatively to try to resolve issues. Landlords and tenants should discuss what claims each can make with Columbia Gas. For example, landlords should file claims for lost rent with Columbia Gas. Neither landlords nor tenants should suffer any financial loss. Columbia Gas is responsible for all losses caused by the gas explosions.

Tenants and landlords should be aware of their rights, duties, and protections under Massachusetts law. Tenants or landlords who are having problems can call the Attorney General’s Merrimack Valley Hotline at 617-573-5370 for help. Affected residents can request temporary alternative housing by calling Columbia Gas at 1-800-590-5571.

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 being sent to customers in full, click here.

The steps for self mitigation and restoration outlined in the mailer are:

  • Contact Columbia Gas and make the claims adjuster assigned to your case aware of your intention to self mitigate. Adjusters will walk residents and business owners through the process, including briefing them on the information they’ll need for later reimbursement. The Columbia Gas claims phone number is 1-800-590-5571.
  • Hire only licensed installers, who must obtain appropriate permits from the Town of Andover in order to complete the work. Work may include pressure testing, repair and replacement of gas lines, extension of outside gas lines, installation of appliances and completion of a town inspection. Once all of that work is completed, gas service may be restored to individual homes.
  • Work with a claims adjuster to purchase replacement equipment and appliances. Columbia Gas will reimburse customers for reasonable replacement costs of like kind and quality appliances, including making payments on their behalf or paying customers back for out-of-pocket costs.
  • Install equipment and appliances, and complete inspection. Once installation is complete, licensed installers will arrange a town inspection. Only work that has been appropriately permitted prior to completion will be eligible for an inspection.
  • Contact Columbia Gas for service restoration. Once inspections are complete, customers will receive either a green “house ready” tag, or an orange “house ready” tag depending on a home’s level of readiness for service restoration. To have service restored following self mitigation work, call 1-866-388-3239.

Claims Center 

The Andover Claims Center is located at 45 Main St. (the former location of Greater Boston Running Company). The Claims Center is open Monday through Friday, noon to 8 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

So far, over 4,700 claims have been submitted to Columbia Gas by Andover residents and businesses. Columbia Gas has paid out over $15 million to settle Andover-based claims.

Save the Date: Holiday Happenings

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.

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, 800 Andover residents were being lodged in alternate housing arrangements, including 261 people in apartments, 487 in hotels and 52 in RV’s.

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 will be 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 

###

North Reading Police, Schools Address Nationwide Clown Scare

⋅ City/Town News, Client News, Police News, School News ⋅ , , , , , , , ⋅ 0 Comments

North Reading Police Department
Chief Michael P. Murphy
150 Park St.
North Reading, MA 01864
North Reading Public School District
Jon Bernard, Superintendent
189 Park S.
North Reading, MA 01864

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016

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

North Reading Police, Schools Address Nationwide Clown Scare

NORTH READING – Police Chief Michael P. Murphy and Superintendent Jon Bernard report that the North Reading Police Department and North Reading Public Schools are addressing the nationwide scare tactic involving people dressed as clowns threatening to harm others.

In August, parents in South Carolina were alarmed after a group of people dressed as clowns were reported as trying to lure children into the woods. Since then, numerous sightings of individuals in clown face paint and outfits, often times wielding weapons or acting suspicious, have been reported throughout the country.

Last week, a nationwide threat was made over Twitter targeting schools by a clown-related group. Although the threat has passed, the police department is actively monitoring any suspicious related activity in and around North Reading public schools. On Tuesday night, a Merrimack College dormitory in North Andover was evacuated after someone reported seeing an individual, dressed as a clown and carrying a weapon.

Similar incidents have been reported in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Nova Scotia, Canada.

While no specific threat to North Reading has emerged as a result of the social media activity, North Reading School Resource Officer Sean O’Leary will continue to maintain a presence at all schools throughout the district. In addition, North Reading police are coordinating with state and federal law enforcement partners.

“The North Reading Police Department is committed to the safety of our community above all else,” Chief Murphy said. “We encourage any student who sees or hears of anything alarming to report it immediately.”

“We remain vigilant in our schools to promote safety and security, and we work diligently with our local police department to ensure the safety of our students and staff,” Superintendent Bernard said. “To date, no information has surfaced in our schools, but we will continue to monitor this situation and remain in contact with the North Reading Police Department to address any concerns.”

###

Methuen Police Department to Utilize Social Media During National Preparedness Month

⋅ City/Town News, Client News, Police News ⋅ , , , , , , , , ⋅ 7 Comments

Scan07172015-2

Methuen Police Department
Joseph Solomon, Chief of Police
Quinn Public Safety Building
90 Hampshire St.
Methuen, MA 01844

For Immediate Release

Friday, Aug. 26, 2016

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

Methuen Police Department to Utilize Social Media During National Preparedness Month

METHUEN – Mayor Steve Zanni and Chief Joseph Solomon are pleased to announce the launch of the Methuen Police Department’s second annual social media campaign for the 2016 National Preparedness Month this September.

National Preparedness Month is meant to educate communities on planning, staying safe, and communicating during disasters and emergencies. This year’s theme is “Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today.”

The department is highlighting the idea of being proactive through daily posts on their Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts. Each week will feature a different theme including floods, wildfires, hurricanes, and power outages with helpful articles, public service announcements, checklists, and other resources to educate the public on how to stay safe during an emergency that affects their community. They are also in the process of developing boards on Pinterest, which will feature visual elements such as graphics, checklists, and flyers.

“The Methuen Police Department strives to use social media as both a way to relay information and also connect with our community,” Chief Solomon said. “Our social media following has grown considerably over the years, and we encourage residents to utilize the numerous resources we have available online.”

Methuen is no stranger emergency preparedness and the value of properly utilizing social media in the event of an emergency situation. During hurricane season and especially during the winter months, the city has experienced strong storms that have triggered numerous emergency situations.

In the event of an emergency, employees from the police station and the city set up and run an Emergency Operations Center (EOC), where they set up designated phone lines for calls coming in to report power lines or trees that are down, and other important safety messages. The team is also responsible for monitoring social media as a way to communicate with residents.

“The Methuen Police Department has utilized social media in a way that’s effective not only for the residents, but also for the town’s daily operations,” Mayor Zanni said. “I am proud to support the department in their efforts and encourage the community to follow their posts online.”

Along with Chief Solomon, Officers Licata and Scanlon are managing the department’s second annual formal social media campaign. Their daily posts are leading up to National PreparAthon! Day on Sept. 30, which culminates National Preparedness Month. The department plans to create a Facebook event for this day, which will contain all of the information they have posted throughout the month in one place

The Methuen Police Department’s Facebook page currently has 11,532 likes and they have 8,197 followers on Twitter. Chief Solomon and his team are heavily involved in social media, encouraging his police force to utilize social media as a means of communication with the Methuen community. Many of the officers even have their own Twitter handle.

For more information about National Preparedness Month, visit ready.gov and the Methuen Police Department’s Facebook page. Follow them on Twitter @MethuenPolice.

###

Methuen Police Department Kicks Off National Preparedness Month with Social Media Campaign

⋅ Client News, Police News ⋅ , , , , , , , ⋅ 4 Comments

Scan07172015-2

Methuen Police Department
Joseph Solomon, Chief of Police
Quinn Public Safety Building
90 Hampshire St.
Methuen, MA 01844

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015

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

Methuen Police Department Kicks Off National Preparedness Month with Social Media Campaign

METHUEN – Chief Joseph Solomon is pleased to announce the launch of the Methuen Police Department’s first social media campaign for the 2015 National Preparedness Month this September.

National Preparedness Month is meant to educate communities on planning, staying safe, and communicating during disasters and emergencies. This year’s theme is “Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today.”

The department is highlighting the idea of being proactive through daily posts on their Facebook and Twitter. Each week will feature a different theme including floods, wildfires, hurricanes, and power outages with helpful articles, PSA’s, checklists, and other resources to educate the public on how to stay safe during an emergency that affects their community. They are also in the process of developing boards on Pinterest, which will feature visual elements such as graphics, checklists, and flyers.

“Social media is a great way to share information with the public and get our message out quickly across multiple platforms”, Chief Solomon said. “In Methuen, we have experienced severe weather in the past. I feel strongly about participating in this event to keep our community as safe as we can by educating the public on the importance of emergency preparedness.”

Methuen is no stranger emergency preparedness and the value of properly utilizing social media in the event of an emergency situation. During hurricane season and especially during the winter months, the city has experienced strong storms that have triggered numerous emergency situations.

In the event of an emergency, employees from the police station and the city set up and run an emergency operations center (EOC) where they set up designated phone lines for calls coming in to report power lines or trees that are down, and other important safety messages. The team is also responsible for monitoring social media as a way to communicate with residents. The Department utilized the EOC frequently last winter due to record-breaking amounts of snow.

“The most important thing is giving our community and our followers the best information we can, so they are armed with the resources they need in the event of an emergency,” Officer Gina Scanlon said. “Whether that information is a contact number or a checklist, anything we can give them that will keep them safe matters. If we have done that, than we’ve done our job.”

“As an active member on social media, utilizing that platform to educate our community is an invaluable resource,” Officer Derek Licata said. “Getting our community prepared now will help keep us all safer in the event of an emergency, and ultimately, the safety of our residents is our primary goal.”

Along with Chief Solomon, Officers Licata and Scanlon are managing the department’s first formal social media campaign. Their daily posts are leading up to National PreparAthon! Day on September 30, which culminates National Preparedness Month. The department plans to create a Facebook event for this day, which will contain all of the information they have posted throughout the month in one place.

Although it is still early in the month, the Department is optimistic the response to their campaign will be very positive.

The Methuen Police Department’s Facebook page currently has 8, 586 likes and they have 6, 740 followers on Twitter. Chief Solomon is heavily involved in social media, and even sent Officers Licata and Scanlon to the Social Media the Internet and Law Enforcement (SMILE) Conference in Phoenix, AZ last spring.  He encourages his police force to utilize social media as a means of communication with the Methuen community.  Many of the officers even have their own Twitter handle.

For more information about National Preparedness Month, visit ready.gov and the Methuen Police Department’s Facebook page. Follow them on Twitter @MethuenPolice.

###

1 2