Merrimack Valley Explosions: More Details On Recovery Effort

ANDOVER, MA -- Following Friday's announcement by Gov. Charlie Baker that Columbia Gas of Massachusetts officials hope to have service restored to 8,600 customers in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover by November 19, officials began handing out hotplates Saturday to customers who are looking at two months without working stoves. On Monday, officials will begin handing out space heaters to the affected residents of all three towns.

In Lawrence, National Guard troops and Lawrence Police officers were going door-to-door to handout the hot plates to residents who have been without gas service since explosions on Sept. 30 destroyed or damaged more than 70 homes, injured more than two dozen and killed an 18-year-old Lawrence man.

In Andover, there was a delay in the shipment of hot plates. They finally arrived at 2 pm and are available for pickup at Andover Town Offices at 36 Bartlett Street. Space heaters should be available early next week. For residents who are converting to electric heat furnaces, the town is waving permit fees.

Gas line work is scheduled to begin on Monday. The towns will announce which streets are being worked on each day, and residents should expect traffic delays. There will be 20 construction crews working in Andover at the outset, with the number expected to rise to 65 by October 1. Columbia Gas held a job fair Saturday to hire electricians, plumbers, building inspectors and customer service representatives to help with the restoration.

Beginning Wednesday, crews consisting of a plumber, electrician, building inspector and a member of the National Guard will go to all of the homes and businesses in the impacted area, where they will conduct assessments to make sure those buildings are ready for gas restoration and identify any appliances that will need to be replaced.

Columbia Gas has made a commitment to the Town of Andover that it will provide residents and business owners at least 48 hours notice prior to arriving for an assessment.

"I'm confident that the plan we have in place is the most prudent way to help our residents and business owners get back to normal, and the Town of Andover is deeply committed to seeing this process through to a successful conclusion," Andover Town Manager Andrew Flanagan said.

Also on Saturday, Columbia Gas claims representatives and service technicians began visiting businesses in the impacted areas to assess damage and begin the claims process. Officials expect it to take about four days for all businesses to be visited.

Saturday's Developments In The Recovery Effort

• The state said people who lost wages as a result of the gas explosions can file for unemployment assistance. The state set up a dedicated phone line for information on filing a claim at 877-355-1135. Residents can also visit the Valley Works Career Center at 255 Essex Street in Lawrence.
• The Massachusetts Department of Revenue is waiving late tax payment penalties for any late-filed return or payment that was due on or after September 12th and before October 1st. If any taxpayer in the affected areas receives a penalty for this period they should call (617) 887-6367.

More Coverage:

• Cold Weather Likely Before Gas Restoration Is Complete
• Governor Promises Support To Merrimack Valley Businesses
• 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.

There is a Recovery Resource Center for residents of Lawrence, Andover and North Andover at the Elks Lodge at 652 Andover Street in Lawrence. The center will be open from noon to 7 pm on weekdays. The center is staffed by representatives of municipal and state agencies as well as the American Red Cross and Salvation Army and disaster relief organizations affiliated.

Columbia Gas continues to operate claims centers in each of the three communities. In Andover, the claims center is at the Old Town Hall and will be open noon to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and will continue to operate next week with the same operating hours. Claims can also be initiated by phone at 800-590-5571. The claims center in Andover has already handled more than 600 claims since it opened Tuesday. 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.

Andover has set up shower trailers at Pomp's Pond for any resident needing to take a hot shower. The showers are open from noon to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.on Saturday, and will continue as needed. Residents need to bring their own shower supplies including towels, shampoo, conditioner, and soap. There will be a limited number of showers designated for family use. There is also an accessible shower for those with mobility impairments located at the Andover 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 is located in the First and Main Plaza at 115 Main Street (the space adjacent to CVS). The center is scheduled to be open Tuesday-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.

There is a Recovery Resource Center for residents of Lawrence, Andover and North Andover at the Elks Lodge at 652 Andover Street in Lawrence. The center will be open from noon to 7 pm on weekdays. The center is staffed by representatives of municipal and state agencies as well as the American Red Cross and Salvation Army and disaster relief organizations affiliated.

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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Lawrence Police Officer Gary Yancey with the National Guard handing out hot plates on Salem Street to residents. Photo by Lawrence Police.

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