Town Council Comes Out Against Weymouth Compressor Station

BRAINTREE, MA - The Braintree Town Council has joined the campaign against a compressor station in North Weymouth.

Tuesday, the board voted unanimously to send a letter of non-support to Spectra Energy. The energy company hopes to build the station near the Fore River. Spectra also plans on constructing a natural gas pipeline across multiple communities in Massachusetts.

Dave Oliva of the East Braintree Civic Association spoke in opposition, invoking a recent explosion at a Spectra-owned station in Pennsylvania.

“I’m sure you’ve all seen the news in Pennsylvania about the explosion and that’s something to think about. It’s a very densely populated area where they want to put it. It could devastate the area,” he told the council.

No members of the council spoke in favor of the station, with council President Sean Powers calling the issue a regional one.

“I’ll tell you right now I’m not going to be in support of it so I’ll do what I can to make sure it does not happen,” Councilor Thomas Bowes said.

Despite mass opposition to the project, Spectra has offered Weymouth $47 million in exchange for the town dropping their opposition. Weymouth Mayor Robert Hedlund has not made a decision on the deal.

“I don’t care how much money they offer, it is not worth it. It’s dangerous and it affects the whole town,” Councilor Shannon Hume said.

Councilor Stephen O’Brien recommended that residents call the Weymouth mayor’s office to voice their opposition.

Noting that the town has spent millions on road work, Councilman Michael Owens said the dug up roads near the Dedham portion of the pipeline has him concerned.

“That in itself should be alarming with what we’ve invested in our roads,” he said.

Further discussion is expected, with the council inviting members of the East Braintree Civic Associated back for a future meeting.