North Andover Selectmen Ask For Town Voice In Columbia Gas Audit

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — North Andover's selectmen are asking the state to give them more of a role in oversight of the Merrimack Valley gas explosions restoration work. On Oct. 2, the state ordered that Columbia Gas pay for an audit of all gas pipeline work they've done since the deadly explosions. North Andover asked in a letter sent that the engineering firm Environmental Partners, which they partnered with alongside Andover and Lawrence following the accident, participate in the audit.

"It is important that the towns have a voice and independent oversight in this process. We hope that this work will begin soon so that we have a final determination on whether the work completed was done correctly," Town Manager Melissa Rodrigues wrote on behalf of the selectmen.

She explained, "The town continues to have concerns regarding the work of Columbia Gas, and we have been alarmed by the most recent leak and the ever increasing number of lines that were not disconnected from abandoned mains. In conversations with residents and staff, it is evident that there is great concern about and little faith in the abilities of Columbia Gas. This has been a trying year of rebuilding for this community and for our neighbors, and it has recently become very obvious that we are far from alleviated from the burdens of Columbia Gas."

The letter also asks that the state "continue to watch Columbia Gas diligently" as restoration work continues. "Without your oversight, we simply cannot have faith in the work being completed."

The company was recently ordered to check abandoned service lines in the three towns to confirm they were disconnected properly. The state's Department of Public Utilities ordered this additional measure after a gas leak in Lawrence last month, over a year after the explosions. The company is also under a moratorium on all non-emergency work.

The town's request for more involvement comes after the National Transportation Safety Board's final report was released last week, attributing the explosions to "weak engineering management" by Columbia Gas. The state also opened two new investigations into the company and the explosions Friday.

The Sept. 13, 2018 natural gas line explosions killed one, injured 22 and damaged 131 structures across the three towns.

Christopher Huffaker: 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.