Settlement Reached In Deadly Merrimack Valley Explosions

ANDOVER, MA — Officials from Andover, North Andover and Lawrence will outline the details of a settlement reached with Columbia Gas of Massachusetts for repairs and costs stemming from the Sept. 13 gas explosions at a news conference Tuesday. The settlement, which include Columbia parent company NiSource Inc. will cover road repairs, municipal costs and other costs related to the disaster.

Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera, interim North Andover town manager Lyne Savage and Andover town manager Andrew Flanagan will be joined by officials from the company at noon Tuesday at the Andover Public Safety Building.

Last week NiSource said costs from the disaster recovery had topped $1.6 billion and are likely to go higher. The total, announced with its quarterly earnings report, does not include fines or penalties. A preliminary National Transportation Safety Board report has largely placed blame for the explosions, which killed one and damaged or destroyed more than 130 buildings, on Columbia Gas.

Columbia Gas said on April 30 it had settled one of the more than 15 lawsuits that have been filed against the company in the wake of the Sept. 13 gas explosions in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover. Terms of the settlement with the Figueroa family of Lawrence were not disclosed, although Columbia did say part of the agreement calls for the utility to provide a motorized wheelchair, a mobility van, and modifications to the family's residence for a member of the family who will have permanent, limited mobility.

Essex County Superior Court Judge James Lang has urged the victims and Columbia Gas to reach settlements like the one announced Tuesday. While many cases, including a class action lawsuit, were consolidated by Lang, some -- including the Figueroa family's complaint -- were allowed to proceed individually.

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