Governor Promises Support To Merrimack Valley Businesses

ANDOVER, MA -- About 100 Andover businesses, including 67 food businesses, have been closed since Thursday's gas explosions. Businesses in North Andover and Lawrence also remain closed, with no timetable for when they might be able to reopen. That prompted Gov. Charlie Baker and Massachusetts Housing and Economic Development Director Jay Ash to meet with those business owners and local officials Wednesday morning.

While no formal plan was announced, Baker, Ash and Andover Town Manager Andrew Flanagan said in a press briefing after the meeting that they were working on a plan to get the businesses up and running. Flanagan said he hoped more details of that plan would be released in the coming days.

The recovery process is "in many respects, a house to house, building to building, business to business type activity," Baker said. "We're looking to get that started as soon as we have the resources marshaled to do it."

Andover's entire downtown business corridor lies in the so-called affected area, where Columbia Gas of Massachusetts officials say it could take weeks to restore gas service. While residents in the unaffected area should have gas service restored in the next few days, the utility may have to replace or repair underground transmission lines before service can be restored in the affected area.

More on this story: Economic Impact Of Merrimack Valley Gas Fires Hard To Measure

A build up of high pressure in Columbia's main transmission line sparked more than 60 explosions and fires in the three communities, killing one and injuring more than two dozen people. Thousands more were forced to evacuate Thursday night. The National Transportation Safety Board is conducting an investigation which could take as long as two years.

Residents continued to voice their frustration Wednesday with the slow recovery process and the lack of a clear-cut timeline. School Street resident Michael Bertani said after he heard rumors that people living on low-pressure lines may be without gas for even longer than the projection of weeks officials are now offering, he called Columbia Gas to find out if his neighborhood was on a low-pressure or high-pressure line.

"Columbia Gas is refusing to give any of that information out," he said in an email to Patch. "How are home owners supposed to begin formulating a short & long term plan if we don’t know what our options are, or which pressure line we are on?"

Columbia Gas officials have not responded to repeated requests for comment from Patch since Thursday.

More Coverage:

• Residents Not Warm On Idea Of Weeks Without Gas
• Lawsuit Claims Columbia Gas Knew Of $27 Million In Needed Repairs

Where To Get Help In Andover

Customers in the unaffected area who still don't have gas service should call call Columbia at 866-388-3239.

At the urging of Andover officials, Columbia Gas opened a resource center at the Old Town Hall at 20 Main Street where residents can file claims to be reimbursed for expenses related to the disaster. The center is scheduled to be open from noon-8 pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and 9 am - 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday. Claims can also be made by phone by calling 800-590-5571.

Columbia Gas has a Website with more information on property claims process.

Customers, regardless of where they live, may have to repair or replace service lines, furnaces, water heaters, and gas appliances. NiSource, the parent company of Columbia Gas, is arranging to have the work done for free for residents that cannot afford the repairs. The Town of Andover is waiving permit fees for repair work related to the gas explosions.

The Andover Community Services Department is offering free continental breakfast and a hot lunch for all residents every day through Friday, September 21. Residents are asked to call and register at 978-623-8320.
Andover Elder Services also has fresh food and vegetables available free for anyone in need who comes to the Senior Center at 30 Whittier Court. Food will be given out from noon-3 p.m. The food pantry will also be open during normal hours on Thursday, September 20 from 4-5 p.m. at the Senior Center.

The Andover/North Andover YMCA in Andover is open to residents of both communities who want to use the facilities to shower or workout.

Where To Get Help In North Andover

Customers in the unaffected area who still don't have gas service should call call Columbia at 866-388-3239.

Columbia Gas is setting up a Community Claims and Resource Center for North Andover residents and businesses. The Center was supposed to have opened on Tuesday, but that opening was pushed back to Wednesday. Town officials are also asking for residents to volunteer to staff the center.

The center is located in the First and Main Plaza at 115 Main Street (the space adjacent to CVS). The center is scheduled to be open on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from noon to 8 pm, and Saturday from 9 am - 5 pm. There will be a town staff member present to answer non-claim related questions.

Columbia Gas has a Website with more information on property claims process.

Customers, regardless of where they live, may have to repair or replace service lines, furnaces, water heaters, and gas appliances. NiSource, the parent company of Columbia Gas, is arranging to have the work done for free for residents that cannot afford the repairs. The Town of Andover is waiving permit fees for repair work related to the gas explosions.

The Andover/North Andover YMCA in Andover is open to residents of both communities who want to use the facilities to shower or workout.

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From left to right: Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, Andover Town Manager Andrew Flanagan and Massachusetts Housing and Economic Development Director Jay Ash. Photo by John Guilfoil Public Relations LLC.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).