Dedham Selectmen to Challenge Pipeline Rehearing Denial

DEDHAM, MA - Selectmen in Dedham have voted to appeal a denied rehearing for a pipeline scheduled to be installed in town.

Wednesday, the board voted to direct Town Manager Jim Kern to engage special counsel, BCK Law, P.C., and Town Counsel Kopelman & Paige, P.C. to prepare an appeal of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s denial, according to a press release from Assistant Town Manager Nancy Baker.

“Dedham’s Selectmen remain concerned that an out-of-state corporation, with the approval of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, can install a high pressure, high volume natural gas pipeline under a youth soccer field and through congested residential neighborhoods. The Board continues to strongly object to this project because of the serious health and safety issues it presents to its residents, and those that travel through the community,” she said.

The board requested the hearing after Spectra received approval to install a pipeline in Dedham. The hearing was denied on Jan. 28.